BLACKBERRY BRAMBLE BARS
1 cup seedless blackberry jam
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 400*.
Prepare a 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick spray.
Warm the blackberry jam in a small saucepan, stirring until spoonable. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
Stir in flour, salt and baking soda.
Add oatmeal and nuts, and combine all to make a crumbly mixture.
Firmly press 2/3 of the crumb mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
Carefully spread softened jam over bottom layer.
Sprinkle remaining crumbs over jam layer.
Bake about 25 minutes, until lightly browned.
Cool in pan.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Cut into bars to serve.
About 24 servings
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