Crumb Bar Cookies

1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats

2/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup butter

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup nuts chopped

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 1/4 cup raisins

3/4 cup orange juice (water can be used too)

I a bowl toss in flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda and combine. Add the butter and mix until you there is coarse crumbs. ( I use my hands to do this ) Once this is accomplished remove 1/2 cup of this mixture and add the nut to this. Take the remaining crumbs and press them into a 8x8 inch baking pan that is not greased.

In a saucepan toss in sugar, cornstarch, raisins, and orange juice. Stir this on medium low heat until it is thick and slightly bubbly. Spread over the crumb layer in the baking pan. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup with nuts on the top. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until the top is golden.

This is the basic crumb bar recipe. I have created different variations with this recipe by omitting the raisins and adding cranberries. For the nuts I use walnuts, pecans, macadamia, peanuts and almonds. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top after baking or drizzle chocolate, white or dark over them. I've even cut them into triangles.

If you like a chocolate version.

Prepare the crumb bar mixture and leave out the raisins.

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup sweetened condense milk

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

Combine everything except the vanilla in a saucepan and cook over low heat until chocolate melts. Remove and stir in vanilla. Spread this evenly over the crumb layer.