Blueberry Oat Bars

These are great right out of the freezer! Or you could leave them out on the counter for a little while until they come to room temperature.


1 3/4 cups Quick Cooking oats -- uncooked
1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
3/4 cup Brown sugar -- firmly packed
1/2 cup Chopped nuts (I like slivered almonds)
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt (optional)
3/4 cup Margarine or butter -- melted
2 cups Fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
3 tablespoons Water
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
2 teaspoons Lemon juice

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease 9x9-inch glass baking dish.

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, nuts, baking soda and salt. Add margarine, mixing until crumbly.

Reserve 3/4 cup mixture; press remaining mixture onto bottom of prepared dish. Bake 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine blueberries, granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, simmer 2 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Combine remaining 1 tablespoon water, cornstarch, and lemon juice; mix well. Gradually stir into blueberry mixture; cook and stir about 30 seconds or until thickened.

Spread over partially baked base to within 1/4 inch of edge; sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until topping is golden
brown.

Cool on wire rack; cut into bars. Stack and store in plastic storage container.