Oatmeal Bars

By KimberlyB

Ingredients

• 1 cup (1 3/4 sticks) butter
• 1 tablespoon maple or maple-flavored syrup
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips or raisins (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Melt butter and syrup over low heat on stovetop or in microwave.

In a large bowl, combine butter mixture, baking soda, and allspice; mix well and let cool.

Add rolled oats, flour, sugar, and chocolate chips or raisins, if desired; mix well. Press dough into prepared baking dish.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes then immediately cut into bars; let cool completely then cut through again.