Date Bars

from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

Set oven at 350 degrees
9 x 13 Pan

½ c Shortening or butter
1 c Sugar

1 ½ c Flour (sifted)
½ t Soda
1 t Salt
1 ½ c Oats, quick cooking rolled
1 T Water

Date Filling
2 c Pitted dates
1 ½ c Water
Cover, cook, stirring often, until consistency of jam.

Cream together, shortening and sugar. Sift dry ingredients, stir into creamed mixture. Add oats and water. Mix until crumbly. Pat half of mixture in greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread with date filling. Top with remaining mixture, pat smooth. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into bars or squares. Makes 32 1 ½” squares.