Tasty date bars

Recipes

Serves 12 

Filling 

1⁄2 cup pitted dates, chopped 

1⁄2 cup water 

1⁄2 cup sugar 

Dash of salt 

Juice of 1 lemon 

Crumb crust 

1 1⁄2 cups uncooked oatmeal 

1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 

1 cup dark or light brown sugar 

3⁄4 cup butter 

1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 

1⁄8 teaspoon salt 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together dates, water, sugar, salt and lemon juice. Set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, butter, baking soda and salt. Place two thirds of crumb mixture in greased 9 " x 9 " x 1 1⁄2" pan. Press over the bottom and up the sides of pan. Cover with the date mixture and sprinkle remaining crumbs over top, pressing lightly. Bake for 25–30 minutes. When cool, cut into squares. Store in an air-tight container with a sheet of wax paper between each layer of cookies. 

Ruth Polk, Hartsville