Strawberry Bars

Hubby really liked the apricot bars, but they didn't last too long.  Everyone else liked them, too!  Since he was sick this weekend he wanted a little something special to nibble on. I was out of apricot jam, coconut and walnuts so I came up with this little gem.

Strawberry Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup strawberry jam
1/2 cup chopped almonds or cashews

Mix flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda.  Cut in butter.  Reserve 1 cup of the flour mixture.  Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 pan.  Spread the jam over the top (if it's really stiff jam add a teaspoon of water and mix it up so that it's spreadable).  Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.  Sprinkle chopped nuts over the top and press in lightly with your hands.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Coll in the pan on a wire rack.  Cut into bars.

Makes 24 bars.