Date Filled Oatmeal Bars

My mom would make these every Thanksgiving and we could not wait to get our hands on them.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup Crisco shortening
• 1⁄4 cup butter (softened)
• 1  cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1 3⁄4 cups  sifted flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups Quaker Oats

• Date Filling

• 3  cups  pitted chopped dates
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups water

Directions

1. Mix shortening, butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
3. Mix oats into flour mixture.
4. Mix oat mixture into shortening mixture until crumbly.
5. Put half of the oat mixture in a 9" x 13" greased and floured pan and press and flatten in pan.
6. Date filling:.
7. Place dates, sugar and water in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened - about 10 minutes. Let cool.
8. Spread date filling onto oat crust.
9. Cover with remaining crumb mixture, press lightly.
10. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
11. Let cool and cut into bars.