Peach Preserve Bars

• 3/4 cup shortening such as Crisco
• 1 & 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup of milk
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups quick oats, uncooked
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup peach preserves (may use cherry, raspberry, apricot, strawberry, or blueberry preserves)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Grease 9X13 pan with shortening.
2. Combine shortening, brown sugar, egg, milk and vanilla in large bowl.  Beat at medium speed with mixer until well blended.
3. Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Mix into creamed mixture at low speed until just blended.  Stir in nuts.
4. Press dough evenly on bottom of prepared baking pan.  Press 1/2 inch depressions halfway through dough every two inches with your thumb or a wooden spoon handle.  Fill each depression with the preserves.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 – 25 minutes until the top is lightly browned.  DO NOT OVERBAKE.  Cool, cut into 16 pieces.