Triple word score

The game is close. The tiles are in clumpy clusters, as each player has been cleverly using their knowledge of 2 letter combos to maximum effect.* Then, suddenly, an opening. The coveted red square is within reach. You pounce. And you even get to use that J. Is there anything sweeter to a Scrabble junkie like me?

No. But these bars are a close second. Not only are they decadently good, they are shamefully easy. They are from a M-I-X**.

Scrabble Night Oatmeal Butterscotch Cherry Bars with Lemon Icing

For bars:

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. water
1 package Betty Crocker Oatmeal Cookie Mix (the kind in a pouch)
grated zest of 1 lemon
1/2 c. butterscotch chips
3/4 c. dried cherries

For icing:

1 c. powdered sugar
1-2 Tbs. fresh squeezed lemon juice

Pre-heat oven to 350. Using cooking spray or butter, grease bottom and sides of a 9 inch square baking pan.

Blend butter, egg, vanilla and water together. Stir in cookie mix and lemon zest. Batter will be stiff. Add butterscotch chips and cherries, and mix until combined. Spread dough into prepared pan, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until top is light golden brown.

Meanwhile, combine lemon juice and powdered sugar by hand in a small bowl to make the icing. You can add more sugar or lemon juice as needed. It should be opaque, but thin enough that you can pour or spread it easily. When the bars come out of the oven, immediately cover with the glaze. Allow bars to cool before cutting and serving.***

* For example, you can get a boatload of points just by putting the word AHA on top another word, or dropping the Z onto a triple letter score near a couple of As. And did you know that Qi is a real word? Don't ask me what it means, but it's worth a bundle.
** 12 points, even before you put it down on any special squares. Well played, this little fella is a real game changer.
*** Or before presenting the cookies to your Scrabble hostess in eternal gratitude for inviting you to play with her because your husband won't even think about playing with you anymore since you kick his butt every time he does even though you're really nice about complimenting the words he uses while you do it and the kids are too young to be much of a challenge and it's pretty lonely just playing the computer and eating all the oatmeal bars by yourself.