Strawberry Oat Bars

   Valentine's Day is soon approaching and I'm thinking pink and red! I love to bake and too often than not it involves chocolate. There is nothing wrong with this at all, but I decided to shake it up a bit around here and bake some strawberry goodness. Here is a great recipe for everyone who loves strawberries and oats. My kids love them to snack on and this recipe will make a bar pan full.

                                                

Strawberry Oat Bars

3 c. all-purpose flour

3 c. oats

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 c. cold butter

2 1/4 c. strawberry preserves

1/4 c. pwd. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1-2 T. of water or milk

***  Grease a 10 x 15 bar pan. (I use my Pampered Chef stoneware bar pan.)  In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking soda. Then proceed to cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Then take half of that mixture and pat it down in the pan. Then spread a layer of preserves and sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture on top and gently press down.  Bake at 350'F for 40-43 minutes or until golden brown. Mix up powdered sugar, vanilla, and water until it forms a smooth glaze like consistency. Drizzle atop baked bars. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut and serve. Store in an airtight container.