Cranberry and Vanilla Bean Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients

• 18 oz. fresh cranberries
• 1 cup brown sugar
• seeds from one vanilla bean
• juice from 1 lemon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons corn starch
• 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

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.
2. To make the filling, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, vanilla bean seeds and lemon juice in a large pot with a lid.
3. Cook on medium heat with the lid on for 5-6 minutes until the berries begin to soften and release their juices.
4. Continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes so that some of the juice begins to evaporate.
5. Stir in the corn starch to thicken the filling. I like to dust the corn starch in through a fine mesh sieve when I add it to avoid getting any big clumps.
6. Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Combine until damp by mixing with your hands. 
7. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. 
8. Spread top with the cranberry filling.
9. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the preserves and pat lightly.
10. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes.
11. Let cool completely, chill, and then cut into squares.

Notes
Other flavors can be used.

Source
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/11/cranberry-vanilla-bean-pie-bars.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/strawberry-oatmeal-bars-recipe.html