Cranberry Date Bars

From the Kansas City Star, submitted by Patty A. Peterson, Pleasant Hill KS.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 32 bars

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package cranberries
• 1 (8 ounce) package  chopped dates
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  cups flour
• 2  cups oats
• 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup butter, melted
•  cooking spray

• For glaze

• 2  cups powdered sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2  tablespoons  orange juice

Directions

1. In saucepan, combine cranberries, dates and water.
2. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes.
3. Stir in vanilla and set aside.
4. In bowl, stir in flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt.
5. Stir in melted butter until blended.
6. Pat half into bottom of a 13x9" baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
8. Spread cranberry mixture over crust, sprinkle with remaining oat mixture, and pat gently.
9. Bake 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Cool.
11. For glaze, combine powdered sugar and vanilla.
12. Stir in orange juice 1 t at a time.
13. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars.
14. Let sit before cutting.
15. You may have to dip knife in water to cut.