2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. quick cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. butter, melted
1 (21 to 24 oz.) can apple, apricot, blueberry, cherry, peach or raisin pie filling or 2 c. prepared mincemeat
1 tsp. finely shredded lemon or orange peel
Powdered Sugar Icing (optional)

In a mixing bowl stir together flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda. Then stir in melted butter until well combined. Set 2 cups of the oat mixture aside for topper. Pat the remaining oat mixture into an ungreased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes.

If necessary, snip large pieces of fruit in pie filling. Stir lemon or orange peel into filling or mincemeat. Carefully spread on top of baked crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Slightly pat oat mixture into filling. Bake in the 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes more or until top is golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. If desired, drizzle icing over bars. Cut into bars. Makes 50.

POWDERED SUGAR ICING:

In a mixing bowl stir together:

1 c. sifted powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla or several drapes almond extract
1 to 2 tbsp. milk to make of desired consistency

Makes about 1/3 cup.