Cranberry Bars

I don’t remember from where I got this recipe; but I always make it during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Cranberry Bars
Filling:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts

Crust:
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups cold butter
1 cup sugar
3 cups quick-cooking oats

Directions:
In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Add cranberries and cook until they pop. Add orange juice, peel, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Cook 5 minutes more or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Add sugar and oats; mix well.

Spoon half into an ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Pat firmly into pan.

Spread filling over crust. Top with remaining crumbs; pat lightly.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool.