Bars

ingredients

• servings: 4
• 2 1/2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
• 3/4 cup shortening

recipe

• preheat oven to 400 degrees f. grease a 9x13 inch pan.
• to make filling: in a saucepan over low heat, combine dates, water, white sugar, and lemon juice. heat for about 8 minutes, or until thick. set aside to let cool.
• to make pastry: in a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats and salt. mix until well blended. add in shortening until mixture forms into coarse crumbs.
• press half of pastry mix into pan. cover with date mixture and spread remaining pastry mix over the top.
• bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. let cool on wire rack before cutting.