Cranberry Oats Bars

Old-Fashioned oatmeal lends crunch and character to these bars.

1 1/2	cups old fashioned oats
10	tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (1 1/4 sticks)
1	cup packed light brown sugar
2	large eggs
2	tablespoons milk
2	teaspoons vanilla
1	cup flour
1/2	teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/2	teaspoon salt
1/2	teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2	cups pecans, chopped (6-ounces)
1 1/3	cups dried cranberries, chopped

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees; generously butter a 9-inch square baking pan, set aside.

1. Toast oatmeal in another baking pan, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 12 minutes.
2. Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy; Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla.
3. Whisk together flour, nutmeg, salt and baking soda; then beat into butter mixture until incorporated.
4. Stir in oatmeal, pecans, and cranberries; spread into buttered pan.
5. Bake until golden and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan 20 minutes, then cut into bars.