OAT BAR RECIPE WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES AND SOUR CREAM

CRUST

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 cup of extremely finely chopped walnuts or almonds
6 tablespoons butter, melted
4 tablespoons orange juice – add zest if you wish

FILLING

1-1/3 cups dried cranberries
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1 large egg white slightly beaten
Cooking Spray

MAKING OAT CRANBERRY BARS

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

For the crust:

Spoon flour into measuring cup to measure out. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, salt baking soda, cinnamon and nuts in a medium bowl and stir well with a whisk.
Drizzle butter and orange juice over the flour mixture stirring until it is moistened. (the mixture will be crumbly).

Reserve 1/2 cup of oat mixture.

Press the remainder of the oat mixture into the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

For the Filling:

Combine all the filling ingredients (cranberries, sour cream, sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, vanilla, orange zest and 1 large egg white) in a medium bowl, stirring well.
Spread the cranberry mixture over the prepared crust.
Sprinkle your reserved oat mixture evenly over the filling.
Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until edges are golden.
Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

The Benefits of Cranberries

Cranberries are becoming very popular for baking in place of raisins or other dried fruits.  They are being used as a topping for salads and incorporated into many recipes as their health benefits become more well known. Here are just a few of the health benefits of cooking with cranberries and adding them to your daily diet.

Cranberry is felt to reduce the risk of heart disease as it works on low density lipoprotein and inhibits its oxidation
Cranberry is known to be beneficial in preventing urinary tract infections caused by bacteria
Cranberry has proven effective in anti-cancer studies in the prevention of cancer
Cranberry’s specific acid can aid in the prevention of kidney stone formation
Cranberry inhibits bacterial growth which causes dental plaque 
Cranberry has been shown to provide asthma relief
Cranberry has been shown to increase circulation

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Cranberry Cooking for All Seasons
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Cranberry Cookbook
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Cranberries: Recipes from Canada’s Best Chefs (Flavours Cookbook)
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Very Cranberry
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Nordic Ware Classic Metal 9×13 Covered Cake Pan
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Wilton Recipe Right 13 x 9 Oblong Pan with Cover
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Wilton Recipe Right 13 x 9 Inch Oblong Pan
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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Almond Granola Bars

More Cranberry Oatmeal Recipes

Oatmeal-Based Fat-Free Cookie Recipes
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
The Best Light Recipe – Oatmeal Cookies – 90 calorie…
Oatmeal-Cranberry-Sour Cream Bars Recipe from Betty Crocker
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies – All Recipes
Oatmeal Cranberry Bars at Cooking Light
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

The Mighty Cranberry

The Benefits of Cranberry on Wikipedia
More On Cranberries
Benefits of Cranberries

Reduced Fat Oatmeal Cookies Makes 24

I think these are the best light recipe I’ve discovered for oatmeal cookies! I found this recipe in the wonderful cookbook I would review as definitely The Best Light Recipe by cooks.com. However, I changed my recipe up a bit in that I like using dried cranberries as I love the flavor of oatmeal and cranberry mixed. Also, you can substitute walnuts for half of the cranberries for an even greater flavor mix! These are great freezer cookies and are still chewy when thawed.

NOTE: In order for the cookies to bake properly, it is important to cook 1 tray at a time!

The Stats

Per cookie

Cal 90
Fat 2.5 g
Sat fat 1.5 g
Cholesterol 15 mg
Carb 16 g
Protein 1 g
Fiber 1 g
Sodium 30 mg

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (quick oats may be substituted)
3/4 cup (3-3/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 large egg (or 1/4 cup egg substitute)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup packed (7 ounces) dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (raisins or dried cherries may be substituted) or 1/4 cup cranberries 1/4 cup walnuts mixed

Preparation

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together in medium bowl; set aside.
In large bowl, whisk butter, egg and vanilla together.
Stir in the brown sugar until smooth, smearing any remaining clumps of sugar against the side of the bowl with rubber spatula.
Stir in the oat mixture and raisins (or substitute) until thoroughly combined.
Working with a level tablespoon of dough each time, roll the dough
into 1-inch balls. (If the dough is too soft to roll, refrigerate it
until firm)
Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets spacing them about 2-1/2 inches apart (12 cookies on each baking sheet)
Bake the cookies, 1 tray at a time until the edges are light golden and centers are just set (11-13 minutes), rotating the tray halfway through baking. (Do not overbake)
Cool cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
Bake the second tray while the first tray cools.

TIPS

Many recipes call for fruit puree (applesauce, banana, etc) which as a fat substitute makes for a different textured cookie
Egg whites produce no flavor in oatmeal cookies and can give a dry cakey crumb
Light cream cheese makes a cookie that is thin and crispy and sometimes will give an artificial aftertaste.
Parchment paper can be found in the grocery section with aluminum foil and reduces calories – you do not have to use grease or sprays of any kind – it is virtually nonstick.
These cookies are excellent to freeze.  I like to always have a batch (or 2) on hand!

Betty Crocker The Big Book of Cookies (Betty Crocker Big Book)
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Taste of Home: Cookies: 623 Irresistible Delights
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Cookie Indulgence: 150 Easy Cookie Recipes
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The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion: The Essential Cookie Cookbook (King Arthur Flour Cookbooks)
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Equipment

The Best Light Recipe
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Chicago Metallic 77823 Commercial 18-by-13-by-1-Inch Cookie/Jelly-Roll Pan, Set of 2
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KitchenAid Cook For The Cure Measuring Tool Set, Pink
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Other The Best Light Recipe Cookie Recipes

The Best Light Recipe – Sugar Cookies – 90 calories
The Best Light Recipe – Chocolate Chip Cookies – 100 calories
The Best Light Recipe Peanut Butter Cookies – 90 calories

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