Our February recipe of the month is Cranberry Oatmeal Bars. I have this recipe on my favorites list because of its usefulness. Is this recipe a snack? Yes. Is this recipe a breakfast? Yes. Is this recipe a dessert? Yes! I could probably end this blog here, but since I have found so many uses for this recipe, I have also picked up a few tips along the way. Read on for my tips on making a great batch of Cranberry Oatmeal Bars for any meal or snack.

• Make sure to finely chop the dried cranberries. They stir into the batter easier if they are smaller. Also, use a sharp knife if you have one, it will save you time and frustration with chopping the cranberries.
• The same thing goes for the nuts. If you choose to add nuts, make sure to finely chop them.
• Do not overbake these bars. If you do, they will crumble apart when you cut them. When they are done they will be lightly browned around the outer edges and the center will be set.
• If you are a chocolate lover, swap the cranberries and nuts for mini chocolate chips. This version always goes over well at my house.
• Eat them while they are still warm. I like to share these with family or friends within an hour of taking them out of the oven because they are warm and chewy and they bring joy.
• Once cooled, cover the bars tightly and eat within two or three days. They will start to dry out the longer they sit out on the counter.

To find the full Cranberry Oatmeal Bars recipe, visit:
https://spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu/recipe/cranberry-oatmeal-bars-2/