Ronnie's Notes
When the grandkids are at camp or some summer program away, I send cookies.
I don’t send any that include nuts or peanut products in case of allergies. Typically, the gift box is filled with the usual favorites: Fannies (thumbprint butter cookies) and Grand Finale cookies (oatmeal-raisin chocolate chip cookies).
Frankly, I was getting a bit bored baking the same stuff, so, although I did bake the usual, I also sent some Saint Cupcake’s Brownie cookies, from a recipe I got from a friend who once owned a bakery in Portland, Oregon. They are the best chocolate cookies I ever tasted.
And I sent these fabulous fruit-and-oat bars, which were wildly successful with the kids and also the grownups left at home (I made enough for a mob).
Next time you’re looking for a summer camp goodie box or just want a tasty snack — think of these. They also make a nice gift of Purim mishloach manot.
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Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly grease a 9”x13” cake pan.
Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
Add the oats and brown sugar and mix the ingredients thoroughly to distribute them evenly.
Cut the butter into chunks and work into the dry ingredients (with fingers or process on pulse in a food processor) until the butter is completely mixed in and the mixture looks crumbly.
Mix in the apricots, dates and cranberries.
Press the mixture evenly inside the prepared pan.
Spread the marmalade evenly on top.
Bake for or until golden brown.
Let cool in the pan.
Cut into bars or squares.