Yum

Dear Mom,
A new recipe. A success! From the Gooseberry Patch Summer in the Country  cookbook. ( I am a total sucker for those Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.)
This one is called Summer's Best Berry Bars.  With fresh fruit and oatmeal it has to be good for you.

Summer's Best Berry Bars
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted (I used smart balance 50/50 blend)

Stir together dry ingredients.
Stir in melted butter until well blended. 
Reserve 1 cup of mixture for topping. 
Press remaining mixture into an ungreased 9x9 baking dish. 
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

While that is baking.....
Combine into a saucepan over medium heat:
2 cups blackberries, raspberries or blueberries (I used blueberries)
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 8 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat.

Spread the berry filling on top of the baked oat mixture when it comes out of the oven.
Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture and lightly press into the berry filling.
Bake at 350 for another 20-25 minutes, until topping is set.
Cool in pan on a wire rack. 
Slice into bars.

Best eaten on a screened porch, listening to the birds sing, with a cup of hot cinnamon spice tea.

Love,
Kim