Fruit Oatmeal Bars

These bars are easy to make and the flavor is much better than anything you could buy at the store The texture is crunchy on the outside and somewhat chewy in the center. The flavor is sweet, buttery, with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, and there is a caramel flavor too. Makes about 18 small bars.
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter cut into 6 pieces
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, softened for greasing foil
1 Cup firmly dried, cherries, raisins, or (packed) apricots.
1 1/2 Cups old-fashioned rolled oats. Don't use quick cooking oats.
1 Cup all-purpose flour
1 Cup firmly packed dark brown sugar. You can also use light brown sugar, but the flavor won't be as strong.
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4-3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Use at least the minimum and add in more if you want.
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. Melt your butter in the microwave at 40% power for 30 seconds. Do this 2-3 times until the butter is melted. Make sure your butter doesn't explode. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch aluminum square pan. (Some foil hanging over the edges is fine.)  Lightly grease the foil with the softened butter. Using kitchen scissors, snip the apricots or cherries (not the raisins) into 1/2 inch pieces.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Mix with a wooden spoon until well blended and no lumps of sugar remain.
3. Add the fruit, melted butter, and vanilla to the oat mixture. Stir until well blended. The dough will be moist and crumbly. Dump the dough into the greased pan and press the dough into the pan with your fingers. 
4. Bake until the top is golden brown, 35-45 minutes. Remove from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack, until completely cooled. Remove the foil, then cut up into 1 1/2-by-3-inch  rectangles.