Fat Witch's Cherry Oatmeal Bars

Where did the summer go? Has Labor day really come and gone already? Seems like July and August went by in the blink of an eye. Every weekend has been so fun and activity-filled that I have not noticed the time passing. Time to pack away the ice-cream maker and start looking towards autumn-inspired baked goods.

This is my son's last year in preschool before he goes to Kindergarten. He wants so much to go to school like the big kids. Letting him help me in the kitchen and help pack his own lunch makes him feel more grown-up. We had fun making these one-bowl bar cookies together. They are like overstuffed oatmeal cookies. Not quite as oat-y as granola bars but contain many of the same ingredients: oats, dried cherries, coconut. These will be a welcome treat for back-to-school or breakfast on the run.

Fat Witch's Cherry Oatmeal Bars
Makes 9" Pan | adapted from Fat Witch Brownies Cookbook

3/4 cup + 1 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup dried coconut
1/3 cup chopped nuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9" pan.

2.Melt butter and stir in vanilla. Combine all other ingredients in a bowl then add melted butter. Stir to combine fully.

3. Press into greased pan and bake for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and edges start to pull away from the pan.