Hi Julie!
This Date Bar Cookie recipe comes from an old Betty Crocker Cookie Book--they are scrumptious and SO much better than the box mix!!! Hope you enjoy them. Kar

Crust:
3/4 cup soft shortening (I use margarine)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats

Mix margarine and sugar thoroughly. Add the flour, soda and salt. Mix and then add the oatmeal. The mixture will be crumbly. Place 1/2 of the crumb mixture in a greased 13x9" pan. Press and flatten with hands to cover the bottom of pan. Spread with cooled filling. Cover with remaining crumb misture...patting lightly. Bake until lightly browned. While warm, cut into bars.
Temp.: 350?
Time: 25-30 min

Filling:

Mix in saucepan:
3 cups cut-up dates
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 10 minutes). Cool. (I do this in my microwave on a lower power and just stir every so often. It really works out better in the microwave--just be careful not to let it get too thick and too dry!!! Obviously, you don't need 10 minutes in the microwave.)

***Also, if you're fond of walnuts, add some chopped nuts to mixture after it has cooked. I usually add about 1 cup of chopped nuts.