Chocolate, Cranberry and Oat Bars *

1 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
4 squares semi sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350.  Microwave cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl for 30 seconds.  Mix flour, oats, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.  Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each until well blended.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate and nuts.  Spread onto bottom of 13x9 pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Serves 24