More Recipes From The Pioneer Woman

Mindy here, and it's no secret that Missy and I love the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. When I'm looking for something new and yummy to satisfy my family, she seems to be my go-to person. So last week at the ranch when I wanted something different and sweet to feed my guys, I pulled one of Ree's recipes that I'd printed out a while back.

Strawberry Oat Bars. Doesn't it just sound good?

Here's what you'll need (ignore the laundry basket in the background):

1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cup oats

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves

(A couple of Tex notes. At home I buy my brown sugar in two pound bags. But at the ranch, I don't use it as often. So when I discovered these Redi-Measure pouches, I was all over that. Each packet contains one quarter cup and they keep for a LONG time. I love that.

Second note, I wanted to cut back on the sugar, so I used the Smuckers Low-Sugar variety. This stuff is great. No artificial sweeteners added, just half the sugar!)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.

Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.

(Tex note: I used a pastry cutter for most of it, but ended up using my hands to make sure everything was well mixed.)

Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan.

Spread with the strawberry preserves.

Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly.

Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes.

Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

How's that for easy? And we're all about easy. Right? The only thing better than easy is easy AND yummy. These are dangerously yummy.

Do you have a favorite chef/cook/cookbook you tend to gravitate to when looking for recipes? Aside the ever-popular Betty Crocker Cookbook, that is.