Chocolate Raspberry Streusel Bars

1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour 

1 1⁄4 cups Franz 9 Grain Hot Cereal & Baking Mix

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar (firmly packed) 

1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder 

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 1⁄2 sticks butter (chilled and cut into pieces) 

1 cup raspberry preserves or jam 

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 

1⁄4 cup chopped almonds (optional) 

1⁄2 cup melted white chocolate chips (optional)

Heat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine flour, Franz Hot Cereal & Baking Mix, sugars, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until the mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of mixture for streusel topping and press remaining mixture onto bottom of greased 8” square baking pan. Bake 10 minutes then remove from oven. Spread preserves evenly over hot crust within 1⁄2 inch of the edges. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Combine remaining streusel topping mixture with almonds (if desired) and sprinkle over the chocolate chips, pressing lightly. Bake another 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Drizzle with melted white chocolate chips if desired. Let chocolate cool completely before cutting into squares.

Makes about 9 squares