A Bit of Sweet to Enjoy

Nothing is better than a nice cup of tea in the afternoon and a bit of sweet to go with it.   After a day of sightseeing it feels wonderful to sit down in comfortable surroundings and just relax.  

The guests at the Artists Inn in South Pasadena, where we are currently on assignment, love our Raspberry Chocolate Streusel Bars.   It seems we put them out and they disappear very quickly, even if there are only a few people in the house.  I guess it is time to make more again. 

This is a wonderful recipe to make over the holidays.  It can even be made ahead of time and frozen until you need to use them.   One note, do not make this late in the day.  It does take time to set up and cool before you try to cut into bars. 

Enjoy and let me know how you like them.  I know our guests have been scooping them up.   

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE STREUSEL BARS

INGREDIENTS
1 package yellow cake mix
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup melted butter
12 ounces raspberry jam
1 teaspoon water
1 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
1. Combine cake mix and oats in a bowl.
2. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is crumbly.
3. Put three cups of the mixture into a prepared 9 x 13 inch glass pan, which
    has been lightly sprayed with Pam, and press firmly.
4. Combine jam and water and spoon over crumb mixture - spread evenly. 
5. Spread chocolate chips evenly over jam.
6. Spread the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the jam/chocolate chips.
    Pat the top gently.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
8. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
 
Lynda & Howard Lerner
Inn Caring
www.inncaring.com