PEACH OATMEAL BARS

PEACH OATMEAL BARS


Makes about 4 Dozen Bars





1-1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup Butter Flavor Crisco all-vegetable shortening or 3/4 Butter Flavor Crisco stick

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups quick oats, uncooked

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 can (16 ounces) sliced peaches, drained and finely chopped

1 cup SMUCKER'S Peach Preserves or jam, stirred





Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease 15-1/2 x 10-1/2 x 1-inch jelly-roll pan.

Place brown sugar, shortening, egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.

Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and ginger. Add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Stir in chopped peaches.

Spread 1/2 of dough onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread preserves over dough. Drop remaining dough by spoonfuls over preserves. Spread dough.

Bake at 350ºF for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Loosen from sides of pan with knife. Cool completely on cooling rack. Cut into 2 x 1-1/2-inch bars.