Old-Fashioned Date Bars

 

3

cups cut-up pitted dates (1 lb)

1 1/2

cups water

2/3

cup packed brown sugar

2/3

cup margarine or butter, softened

1 3/4

cups all-purpose* or whole wheat flour

1 1/2

cups quick-cooking oats

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

• 1 In 2-quart saucepan, cook all filling ingredients over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool 5 minutes.
• 2 Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
• 3 In large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until well mixed. Stir in flour, oats, salt and baking soda until crumbly. Press half of the crumb mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining crumb mixture; press lightly.
• 4 Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. Cool 5 minutes in pan on wire rack. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm.