Recipe:  Oatmeal Date Bars



Ingredients:

3/4 cup shortening (I use part butter and part Crisco)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 3/4 cup sifted flour (sift first, then measure)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

Date Filling:

2 cups chopped dates
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup water or fruit juice (apple is fine)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 Tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Combine all date filling ingredients and cook over low heat, stirring
frequently until thick.  About 10 to 15 minutes.  Cool.  Cream fats
and sugar together.  Sift flour, soda and salt together and add to
creamed mixture.  Add the oats and mix well to blend.  Turn 1/2 the
crumb mixture into a 13 x 9 greased pan.  Press and flatten with
fingers to cover the bottom.  Spread on the date filling.  Cover with
remaining crumb mixture.  Bake at 400  25 - 30 minutes.  Cool and cut
into squares.