Blackberry Oatmeal Linzer Bars (just like Grandmother's)

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Ingredients

2 cups oats (quick or old-fashioned), uncooked

2 cups ground lightly toasted almonds or pecans, divided

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened

1-1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, divided

4 large egg yolks or 2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 jar (18-oz.) seedless blackberry preserves

1 cup finely chopped dried cherries or sweetened cranberries

2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (optional)

2 cups white chocolate baking chunks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, combine oats, 1-½ cups ground almonds, flour, and salt; mix well. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and 1-½ cups powdered sugar until creamy. Add egg yolks, vanilla and almond extracts; beat well. Stir in oat mixture; mix well. Reserve 1-⅓ cups; put in a small bowl and set aside. Spread remaining oat mixture into prepared pan. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes on wire rack.

In a small bowl, combine preserves, dried fruit, and liqueur (if used); mix well. Spread evenly over partially baked crust. Add remaining ½ cup ground almonds to reserved oat mixture; mix well. Stir in the baking chunks. Drop by ¼ teaspoonfuls evenly over apricot mixture. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden-brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 tablespoon powdered sugar. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered.

Note: Packaged ground almonds and pecans are available in the baking section of many grocery stores. Almonds and pecans can be ground in a food processor. Place steel blade in work bowl; add up to 1 cup of nuts. Process until very finely chopped. Do not overprocess.

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