Mai's Oatmeal Bars

Description:
I got the original Oatmeal Bars recipe from my friend Mai. While she used Baguio strawberry preserves, my version (pictured) used guava jelly and dried mango. You could actually use whatever preserves you have available - strawberry, pineapple, blueberry, orange, etc. I think even chocolate would work in this recipe. I also cut the sugar from 1 cup to 2/3 cup since I feel this is sweet enough already from the jam.

Ingredients:
Oatmeal Base:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, divided

Filling:
1 cup jam or preserves (homemade or store bought)

Directions: 
Oatmeal Base: In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in 1 3/4 cups of the rolled oats. Press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of a prepared 9x9-inch pan.

Spread the preserves over the oatmeal base. (I first spread the guava jelly then arranged the dried mango evenly across the top.) To the remaining dough add the remaining 1/4 cup of rolled oats. Crumble this mixture evenly over the top of the preserves. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until nicely browned. Place on a wire rack to cool and then cut into squares.