Blueberry Oatmeal Squares

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant, 625 ml)
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (300 ml)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (250 ml)
• 1 tablespoon grated orange rind (15 ml)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (1 ml)
• 1 cup cold butter, cubed (250 ml)
• 3 cups fresh blueberries (750 ml)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (125 ml)
• 1/3 cup orange juice (75 ml)
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch (20 ml)
• 2 tablespoons water

Recipe

• 1 filling: in saucepan, bring blueberries, sugar and orange juice to boil; reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. whisk cornstarch with 2 tbsp (25 ml) water; whisk into blueberries and boil, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. place plastic wrap directly on surface; refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour.
• 2 in large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, sugar, orange rind and salt with pastry blender, cut in butter until in coarse crumbs. press half into 8-inch (2 l) square parchment paper–lined metal cake pan; spread with blueberry filling. sprinkle with remaining oat mixture, pressing lightly.
• 3 bake in centre of 350°f (180°c) oven until light golden, about 45 minutes. let cool on rack before cutting into squares.
• 4 (make-ahead: cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or overwrap with heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks.).
• 5 canadian living magazine: august 2007.