Cranberry Almond Squares

If there’s a nip in the air, there’s something delicious in the oven!  Sweater weather has arrived in Philadelphia and that means cranberries are appearing in the stores.  Being a Dual citizen of Canada and the US, I get to celebrate 2 Thanksgivings.  The Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October and the traditional meal is pretty much the same in both countries.  One of my favorite foods at the Thanksgiving table is the cranberry sauce/relish.  These cranberry almond squares from Canadian Living magazine are a seasonal twist on the traditional date square.  They are basically cranberry sauce sandwiched between 2 almond oatmeal crumble layers.  Cranberries being one of the best antioxidant power foods, this is one square that is even good for you.  Wholesome, easy and really delicious, they can be made in advance and frozen for up to 3 months.  Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian readers!

• Servings: 16 pieces
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Ingredients:

1 1/2 c old fashioned oats(not instant)

1 c unsalted whole almonds

2/3 c flour

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c brown sugar

1 t cinnamon

1 t ground ginger

1/4 t salt

11 Tablespoons unsalted cold butter, cubed

Cranberry Filling:

5 c fresh cranberries

1 1/3 c sugar

zest of 1 orange

1/3 c orange juice

Method:

Preheat oven to 350F

To make the filling:  In a saucepan bring cranberries, sugar, zest and juice to a boil.  Reduce heat and cook covered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionaly, until cranberries have burst and the sauce is the consistency of jam.   Cool while you prepare the crust.

To make the crusts:  In a food processor, pulse together oats, sugar, brown sugar, almonds, spices, salt and flour until the mixture is finely ground.  Add the butter and pulse until mixture ressembles coarse crumbs.

Assembly:  Press half the mixture in the bottom of a greased 9 inch square pan. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes until golden.  Cool 5 minutes.  Spread cranberry mixture over crust.  Spread the rest of the crumble on top and bake 40 more minutes, on center rack.  Cool completely before cutting.

Making the filling:

Making the crusts:

Assembly:

With the tartness of the cranberries and the crunchiness of the nutty crust, this is one scrumptious fall treat!