Recipe: Betty Crocker Date Bars

DATE BARS

FOR THE DATE FILLING:
3 cups cut-up dates (1 pound)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
FOR THE BASE AND TOPPING:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

PREPARE DATE FILLING:
Mix the ingredients for the filling in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until thickened. Cool.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease baking pan 13x9x2 inches.

Cream butter shortening and sugar. Mix in remaining ingredients. Press half of the mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining crumble mixture, pressing lightly.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until light brown. While warm, cut into bars.

VARIATIONS:
Omit date filling and substitute 1 cup of your favorite jam.

For the Date Filling, try using orange juice instead of water and omit the sugar.

Also could be made in 2 smaller square pans (9x9-inches).

Source: Betty Crocker Cookbook