Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

I found this old treasure on my bookshelf recently.  It brings back many memories of making cookies with my mom.  Isn't it funny that this Betty Crocker cookbook calls them "Cooky" instead of Cookie?

This book was given to my mother (Mavis Lee) by her mother (my Gram) in 1965.  Fifty years ago...how is that possible?  I love reading the little notes written beside some of the recipes.  Excellent 1972.  Lots of checkmarks.  Good (written by me as a child next to peanut butter cookies.)

The kids really enjoy baking, so I plan to resurrect this cookbook for some retro Betty Crocker "cooky" baking.

Grace suggested the first recipe, some jam bars.  Then ironically, she didn't care for them.  They might be to oatmeal-y for her taste.  However, Jack and I thought they were delicious!

I added a powdered sugar icing drizzle, but they would be just as good without.  Here's the recipe.

3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup strawberry jam

Heat oven to 400.  Mix butter and sugar.  Add soda, salt, flour and oats.

Press and flatten half the mixture in a 9x13" pan.  Spread with the jam.  Top with the remaining mixture.  Gently pat down.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.  Cut into bars while warm and remove from pan.

A few recipe notes:

• I used butter instead of shortening.
• I used a natural fruit jam, like Simply Fruit.
• You could use any flavor of jelly or jam.
• I used parchment paper in my pan for easy removal.
• I found a very similar recipe from the Pioneer Woman here.