Cherry Oatmeal Bars

Some time ago I posted a stone fruit bar thinking it was the closest thing to this bar from the bakery that I am obsessed with. At the bakery we have this Cherry Oat bar and it is one of my most favorite things we make (among many others). Little did I know I had this little recipe saved that is very similar (sharing our recipe would just be mean). I lightened the recipe just a tad so I could allow myself more than one bar (I'm sick I know). These are probably the closest thing there is out there to satisfy my craving of the cherry oat bar and can't get them at the bakery. Trust me, they're good.

Cherry Oatmeal Bars
Adapted from myrecipes.com

Ingredients:

Crust:
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4whole wheat flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons reduced-sugar orange juice
Cooking spray

Filling:
1 1/3 cups dried cherries (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°.

 To prepare crust, weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through cinnamon) in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle butter and juice over flour mixture, stirring until moistened (mixture will be crumbly). Reserve 1/2 cup oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture into the bottom of an 8–inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.

To prepare filling, combine cherries, sour cream, granulated sugar, and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well. Spread cherry mixture over prepared crust; sprinkle reserved oat mixture evenly over filling. Bake at 325° for 40 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.