1 recipe filling
6 ounces butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
Filling — cook until thick:
15 ounces dark raisins (2 1/2 cups)
1 – 2 grated apples (peeled)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup water – more as needed
grated rind of one lemon
3+ tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg
dash pepper
Process butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add remaining ingredients except for filling and mix just until combined.
Preheat oven to 400°. Grease a 9″ x 13″ pan. Press half the oatmeal mixture evenly on the bottom of the pan. Spread the raisin filling over the oatmeal. Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly over the filling and press it lightly with your fingers.
Bake until lightly browned, 20 to 30 minutes. When cool, cut into small squares.