1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3/4 Crisco butter flavor stick or 3/4 cup Crisco butter flavor shortening, plus additional for greasing
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/3 cups water
1 cup strawberry preserves

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Grease 13 X 9 inch baking pan.

Combine brown sugar, Crisco shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.

Combine all-purpose flour, salt and baking soda.

Add gradually to creamed mixture at low speed. Beat until well blended. Stir in oats with spoon. Mix until well blended. Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Press half of dough into bottom of greased baking pan and spread with strawberry preserves.

Flatten small amounts of remaining dough between hands. Place on preserves and arrange so dough sections touch. Fill in any spaces with dough to completely cover preserves.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and edges are slightly brown. Do not overbake! Cut while warm into bars about 2 X 2 1/4 inches.

Submitted by: kt, a fan of baking!