Scrumptious Sunday Swap

I'm sorry I don't have a picture to share. These go so fast, I never get the chance. I just made a full pan on Friday, October 31, for my hubby's birthday, and there are only two left! Since DH is not a big dessert/snack eater, that means a lot!

Ingredients

• 1 (18 ounce) box yellow cake mix
• 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (use only quick-cooking)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (I use 3/4 cup for a sweeter crust and topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups preserves or 1 can pie filling (Use your favorite. Our favorite is apple pie filling sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. )

Directions

1. Set oven to 375 degrees (oven rack to second-bottom position).
2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
3. In a large bowl combine cake mix, oatmeal, cinnamon and brown sugar; mix with a spatula or a large wooden spoon.
4. In a small cup whisk egg with lemon juice and vanilla until combined; add to the crumb mixture along with the melted butter.
5. Using a large wooden spoon toss to combine then use your fingers to finish the mixing.
6. Mix until the mixture clumps together.
7. Sprinkle a little more than half of the crumb mixture into the pan then spread out evenly pressing firmly to cover bottom.
8. Spoon the jam carefully over the crust in the pan and spread evenly.
9. Cover with remaining crumb mixture over top of the jam. (I crumble this evenly over the top. When using apple filling, I sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top)
   
10. Bake for 20 minutes (the top should be very light brown).
11. Cool completely, or semi-freeze before cutting into bars (this will make cutting the bars easier)

Tip: Use sugar-free or low sugar preserves and Splenda for low calorie/low carb or diabetic friendly diets.

Another tip: If you don't care for the texture of oatmeal "flakes" in your crumb mixture, you can blend them or through them in the food processor to grind them up a bit.

For more great recipes, click on the picture at the top of this post.