Welcome back to The Cookie Elf File … and to easy cookie recipes! About once a week, The Elf sends you cookie recipes, cookie trivia and simple baking tips to save you time, mess, and money so you can bake homemade cookies.

Coming up on April 30: National Oatmeal Cookie Day! Oatmeal Fruit Bar Cookies let you use the dried fruit already in your cupboard in whatever combination you choose. Plus bar cookies are quick and easy. Enjoy!

Spring Cleaning: Feel the Relief. Get Organized with Less Stress

Spring is here. And if spring cleaning isn’t on your To-Do list (or if you don’t know where to begin) … or if you feel like you’re disorganized … if you feel overwhelmed with junk …

Here’s some news that is a relief. Jane organized her home and her stuff in 7 days. She had to when she moved from Canada to Australia! When she figured out to streamline everything, it made a huge difference for her. It can for you too. Check out how you can drop your clutter and feel the relief in time for summer. More info.

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Feature: Oatmeal Fruit Bar Cookies: Healthy, Quick, Easy!

Image: The Cookie Elf

Healthy oatmeal cookies? Yep. Oatmeal Fruit Bar Cookies are a cross between a bar cookie and a granola bar.

Quick and easy to make!

In fact, you may find that these are so simple and so good that you don’t buy granola bars anymore but bake these instead.

And they’re healthier than your average cookie, too, since most of the sweetness is from honey and dried fruit (with just a bit of brown sugar thrown into the mix). They’re great for breakfast, too.

Don’t buy dried fruit for this recipe unless you want to. Instead, take a look in your pantry and use any of the dried fruits and nuts that are already there, like raisins, dried cranberries, apricots, dates, plums, apples, or others.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Setting time: 18-20 minutes
Makes about 24 bars

Get the complete recipe for Oatmeal Fruit Bar Cookies… and check out more Oatmeal Cookie Recipes on our Pinterest board.

FREE! Kids Learn to Bake in Online Course

First, kids will learn how to prepare to bake and become familiar with the ingredients they'll use. Then, Paula discusses the importance of measuring carefully and correctly. Next, kids find out how to mix ingredients together and pick up special kneading tips for bread that rises perfectly. Finally, Paula demonstrates each step of turning dough into a classic loaf, a beautiful braid, scrumptious cinnamon rolls, popular dinner rolls, perfect pizza and more.

Plus, these recipes make enough for kids to enjoy and share - a perk that will make them popular with family and friends. Find out more and have fun!.

Cookie Baking Tip: How to Save Mess with Bar Cookie Crust

Image: The Cookie Elf

See more helpful cookie baking tips on The Elf’s Baking Tips Pinterest Board .

Bars Be Easy! Cut and Lift with Less Mess

Cuisinart and other fun knife sets	Cookie spatulas from Mrs. Anderson, others	Save your counter: Cutting mats and cutting boards from CounterArt, more

More Easy Oatmeal Bar Cookie Recipes

That’s it for now. See you next time!

Happy baking,

Kathy, The Cookie Elf
www.cookie-elf.com