Sink Into Pat Souza's Chewy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Pat Souza's strawberry oatmeal bars are a chewy treat she's brought to the for her weekly card games.

For them, you will need:

• 1 and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 cup of quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3.4 cup of melted butter
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 cup fo strawberry preserves
• 1/2 cup of caked coconut

In a large bowl, Pat says to combined the dry ingredients with the vanilla extract and butter and stir until crumbly. Set aside 3/4 cup of the mixture and press remaining into an ungreassed 13-inch by 9-inch pan. Spread the strawberry preserves over the crust.

Next, combine the coconut flakes and 3/4 cup of reserved crumb micture and sprinkle it over the preserves.

Bake at 250 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, Pat says. Bake until the until the coconut is lightly browned. Then, remove it from the oven and let it cool, then cut it into squares. It should yield about three dozen.

Enjoy!