Cranberry Oat Bars

FILLING:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

CRUST:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups cold butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
3 cups quick-cooking oats

In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Add cranberries and cook until they pop, about 4-6 minutes. Add orange juice, peel, butter, cinnamon and salt. Cook 5 minutes more or until mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a bowl, combine the flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Add sugar and oats; mix well. Spoon half into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan; pat firmly into pan. Spread filling evenly over crust. Top with remaining crumb mixture; pat lightly. Bake at 400 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Cool.