Quick Crumb Raisin Bars

Quick Crumb Raisin Bars

Ingredients:
raisins, seeded
water, bottled, generic
applesauce, canned, unsweetened, without added ascorbic acid (includes usda commodity)
lemon juice, raw
spices, cinnamon, ground
oats
wheat flour, white, all-purpose, unenriched
sugars, granulated
shortening confectionery, coconut (hydrogenated) and or palm kernel (hydrogenated)
butter, without salt

Directions:
In medium saucepan, bring raisins and water to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes.
Drain; stir in applesauce, lemon juice and cinnamon.
Set aside.
Heat oven to 350*F.
In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar and coconut.
Using pastry blender or fork, cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Reserve 2 1/2 cups of crumb mixture for topping.
Press remaining crumb mixture firmly in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
Spread evenly with filling.
Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture; press lightly.
Bake at 350*F.
for 30 to 40 minutes or until light golden brown.
Cool completely.
Cut into bars.
Yield: 36 bars.