My datebook informs me that it is the first of October and that fall technically began about a week and a half ago. However, even in the absence of a calendar, it would be quite evident that autumn in Ohio is now in full force.
The days are shorter and, at night, the furnace hums occasionally for the first time in months. The daytime skies are a beautiful bright blue and, while the afternoon sun is still warm, there is a crispness to the air that did not exist a month ago. Shades of gold, orange and red are starting to creep into the trees, and fallen leaves are beginning to litter the neighborhood lawns.
Big pots of mums add spectacular fall color to my landscaping beds and a display of cornstalks, pumpkins and gourds at our home's entrance also marks the season.
The days are shorter and, at night, the furnace hums occasionally for the first time in months. The daytime skies are a beautiful bright blue and, while the afternoon sun is still warm, there is a crispness to the air that did not exist a month ago. Shades of gold, orange and red are starting to creep into the trees, and fallen leaves are beginning to litter the neighborhood lawns.
Big pots of mums add spectacular fall color to my landscaping beds and a display of cornstalks, pumpkins and gourds at our home's entrance also marks the season.
And so, when I had the urge to make a dessert earlier this week, it seemed appropriate to dig out a recipe that was slightly rustic, and which featured some of the flavors of fall. After considering a few options, a pan of bars flavored with cranberries, crunchy oats, brown sugar and cinnamon sounded like just the thing. The recipe I tried, which I found scribbled on a piece of paper and the source of which I do not recall, uses just a few ingredients, including a box of cakemix and a jar of whole cranberry sauce, allowing everything to be mixed together and into the oven in a matter of minutes. It was quick, easy, and resulted in a delicious dessert that's perfectly suited for this time of year.
Cranberry Bars
1 box (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 can (16 oz.) whole cranberry sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together cakemix, melted butter, beaten eggs, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread half of the cake mixture into a 13 x 9 inch baking pan, using fingers if necessary to press the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Spread the cranberry sauce over the bottom layer of cake mixture. Drop reserved cake mixture evenly over the cranberry layer. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Cool in pan for at least 3o minutes before cutting into bars.
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