Fruit-Filled Oatmeal Bars

1 cup all purpose flour 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup margarine or butter
Raising filling,Apple-Cinnamon Filling or Apricot-Coconut Filling

Oven 350 degrees

In a mixing bowl combine flour, oats , brown sugar, and baking soda. Cut in margarine, or butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour mixture. Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x9x2 inch baking pan. Spread with desired filling. Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.

Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 30 to 35 minutes or till the top is golden. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 25.

Raisin Filling.In a medium saucepan combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly.

Apple Cinnamon Filling: Peel, core, and chop 2 medium apples ( about 10 ounces). In a medium saucepan combine apples, 2 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a dash ground cloves. Bring apple mixture to boiling: reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or till apples are very tender.

Apricot-Cococnut Filling: In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup snipped dried apricots and 3/4 cup water. Bring apricot mixture to boiling: reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup suagr and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour. Stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or till very thick. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

Using your hands, press the flour mixture evenly into the bottum of the baking pan.