Chocolate Raspberry Streusel Squares

It's been awhile, but here's a great (and easy) Christmas cookie recipe.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups oats, uncooked
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teas. baking powder
1/4 teas. salt (optional)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces

1/2 - 1 cup raspberry preserves or jam
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate or white chocolate, melted (optional)


Heat oven to 375 degrees F.  In bowl, mix flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, and salt.  Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.  Reserve 1 cup oat mixture for streusel; set aside.  Press remaining oat mixture onto bottom of *ungreased 9 inch square baking pan.  Bake 10 minutes.  Spread preserves over crust (I tried not to get it too close to edges as it will burn).  Sprinkle with chocolate pieces.  Mix reserved oat mixture with almonds and sprinkle on top.  Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden.  Cool completely.

Drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired.  Let chocolate set before cutting.

*I did grease it with a little canola oil spray - it seemed to help it get out of the pan easier.  If you're using a glass pan, I'm guessing that won't be an issue as you can cut it in the pan, but if you use a metal pan, I'd suggest spraying it.