Recipe(tried): Oatmeal Date Bars

Sue, I don't know what the Betty Crocker ones tasted like but this is the one I always use. I found it in our state's newspaper years ago. I made these so often when my son was growing up he thought Oatmeal Date Bars were a food group! My Father loves these.Try to keep the date filling away from the sides of the pan a bit, leave a little space around the edge.

OATMEAL DATE BARS

FOR THE DATE FILLING:
3/4 pound dates, pitted and cut up
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped nuts, chopped
FOR THE CRUST:
1 3/4 cup raw quick cooking oatmeal (1 minute oats)
1 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 cup light brown sugar (I usually use dard)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine

TO PREPARE THE DATE FILLING:
Boil dates, sugar, salt and water until thick. Remove from heat and cool. Add lemon juice and nuts. Reserve.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

TO PREPARE THE CRUST:
Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Work in margarine thoroughly.

TO ASSEMBLE AND BAKE:
Press half the mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Put cooled date filling over bottom crumb layer then crumble and distribute remaining crumb mixture over date layer, pressing down well.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Makes about 45 bars. Enjoy!