Four-Layer Oatmeal Bars

[Jerryanne]

FOUR-LAYER OATMEAL BARS

OAT LAYER:
1/2 c. Butter Flavor Crisco
1 egg
1 1/2 c. quick oats, uncooked
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

FRUIT LAYER:
1 1/2 c. sliced, peeled fresh peaches* (cut slices in half crosswise)
3/4 c. crushed pineapple, undrained
3/4 c. sliced, peeled Granny Smith apples (cut slices in half crosswise)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 11x7x2" glass baking dish with Butter Flavor Crisco.
For Oat Layer, combine Butter Crisco and egg in a large bowl. Stir with fork until blended. Add oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir until well blended and crumbs form. Press 1 3/4 c. crumb mixture lightly in bottom of prepared baking dish. Reserve remaining crumbs. Bake @ 350 for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
For Fruit Layer, combine peaches, pineapple, apples, nuts, granulated sugar, cornstarch and nutmeg in medium saucepan. Cook and stir on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Cool completely.
Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees.
For Cream Cheese Layer, combine cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a medium bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Spread over cooked oat layer. Spoon cooled fruit mixture over cheese layer. Spread gently to cover cream cheese. Sprinkle reserved crumbs over fruit.
Bake @ 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate. Cut into bars 2x1 3/4". Makes 20 bars.

*Diced canned peaches, well drained, can be used in place of fresh peaches.

[Susie Ann]

WOW THIS LOOKS WONDERFUL AND YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION ON THE PEACH ISSUE, FRESH OR CANNED...THANKS...

[Jerryanne]

Now wait a minute Susie Ann....does that mean I'm beginning to read your mind????? Oh heaven help us all!!!!

[Susie Ann]

OMG HOW SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SNUGGS]

YUMMY..HAVE TO TRY THESE ONES FOR SURE...THANKS.

[Christine Mlinek]

so undecided on what to do with my fruit now.... too many to choose!