Cranberry Bars

These creamy, tart bars have been a favorite ever since I copied the recipe from my dear Aunt Mary Ann. They're a Christmas staple but this batch I baked up for a bridal shower dessert. And I've made a pan for a "tea" and cut them out into cunning heart shapes with a cookie cutter just to make them pretty...

CRANBERRY BARS

2 cups flour

1 1/4 cup "quick" style oatmeal

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter

16 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce

Crust: Mix the flour, oatmeal and brown sugar. Then cut in the butter with a pastry blender (or a food processor). Reserve 1/2 cup of the mixture and press the rest into a 9x13" pan sprayed with Pam. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling: With a mixer blend cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Pour over crust.

Topping: Break the cranberry sauce into bits and sprinkle it over the top of the filling. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of the oatmeal mixture.

Return to the 350 degree oven for 40 minutes more.

Just right with a cup of tea. These will keep for a week sealed well in the fridge. Enjoy!