 With a crunchy tart and sweet topping, this lemon bread is the perfect neighbor holiday gift. The bread is moist and tender, but the simple lemony topping takes it over the edge of goodness. I bake them in mini disposal aluminum pans then wrap each bread in aluminum foil. For a homey look I cut paper grocery bags into strips with pinking shears and wrap that around the foil. I then add a mesh ribbon, tag, and small Christmas ornament for a second gift. Each batch of the recipe will make about 5 mini loaves or 2 full size loaves.   Lemon Bread Batter
3 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder (reduce if at a high altitude) ½ tsp salt 2/3 cup shortening 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 cup milk 1 Tbs lemon zest (about one lemon zested) Topping 2/3 cup sugar 4 Tbs lemon juice
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With Strawberry, Mango, Coconut Filling  This is one of my favorite easy to make desserts. A bar cookie with fruity filling is sandwiched between layers of oats and brown sugar. Whip those up for your family holiday get together or wrap up a plate to take to your neighbors. In mixing bowl combine old fashioned oats flour, butter, brown sugar, and a little baking soda for leavening.  Save about 1/2-2/3 cup of the mixture and press the rest into a square 9 X 9 X 2 inch pan. No need to grease it.  Now make your fruit filling. The great thing about these bars is you can make any flavor of filling you like. I made a Strawberry, Mango, Coconut filling – YUM! It was so quick and easy – I just heated frozen strawberries and mangos with a little sugar and some shredded coconut. I cooked it until it was thick like jam, using a potato masher to break up any large pieces of fruit.  An easy recipe for jam is 1-1/2 cups of fruit and 1/2 cup sugar. How about apple and cinnamon or blueberry and lime or apricot and pineapple. But here is a secret – you can just use store bought jam. What?? It’s true, just use about 1 cup of your favorite flavor of jam in place of the fruit filling. Whether you decide to use homemade or store bought, the next step is to spread the jam over the oat mixture.  Grab the reserved oat mixtures and crumble it over the top of the fruit filling.
Bake until the topping is browned and the jam is bubbly.   Fruit and Oat Bars with Strawberry, Mango, Coconut Filling  Crust
1 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats 1 cup flour 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup butter Filling (for a time save use 1 cup of jarred jam or preserves) 1 cup frozen strawberries 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks 1/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut 1/2 cup sugar Prepare crust. Combine oats, flour, sugar, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is the size of coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 to 2/3 cup of mixture. Press remaining mixture into a 9 X 9 X 2 inch baking pan. Make filling. Place strawberries, mango, coconut, and sugar in medium saucepan. Stir together while cooking over medium heat. Use a potato masher to break up any large chunks of fruit. Cook until fruit is soft and mixture is thick like jam. Spread filling over the pressed crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake in a 350° F oven for 30 minutes until the top is golden. Cool in pan, then cut into bars.  For years my mom and dad have made Chocolate Peanut Clusters for their neighborhood Christmas gifts. As they’ve gotten older, I’ve helped make these delicious treats. There is really no recipe – all you need is chocolate and peanuts. READ MORE.
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