blackberry bars

recipe #2 using the betty crocker cake mix that i won! this is a recipe that i originally found on recipezarr, but changed it up quite a bit. i just call them, plain ol'blackberry bars, but you can call them strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, even grape, whatever flavor bars you would like. they are very versatile, super simple, super crumbly, but super delicious. in hindsight i would have let them go another five minutes or so in the oven to brown a tad more. also, let them cool completely before cutting or you will end up with blackberry crumble, although equally delicious, just more messy. top with a scoop of your favorite ice cream and no one is none the wiser. enjoy.

beth's blackberry bars

preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit, grease a 9x13 pan

in a large bowl mix the following:
1 box of yellow cake mix
2.5 cups of quick cooking oats( i used old fashioned pulsed in the food processor a few times)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup canola oil or melted butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
the dough will be crumbly. i found mixing with my hands the easiest, squeezing the mixture as i go to help moisten it all. now, pat firmly half the cake/oat mixture onto the bottom of your pan.

next, you will need one 18 oz (about two cups) jar of preserves, your choice, warmed in microwave briefly(25 seconds or so) to aid in spreading. spoon the warmed preserves evenly on top. finally, top the preserves with the remaining cake/oat mixture once again pressing firmly.

bake for 25 minutes(i am including the extra five minutes i should have done mine). cool completely and cut into squares.