Date-filled Oatmeal Bars

Originally from "Christmas Cookies"...a quick way to make oatmeal-date cookies..mmm!

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Yields: 48 bars

Ingredients

• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3⁄4 cup butter or 3⁄4 cup margarine
• 1 (8 ounce) package dates, pitted & chopped
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup water

Directions

1. Combine flour, oats, soda, salt, & brown sugar.
2. Cut butter in until it reaches the consistency of coarse meal.
3. Press half of mixture across the bottom of an ungreased 12x8x2 baking pan.
4. Combine dates, 1 c. sugar, and water in saucepan.
5. Cook on low until sugar dissolves, dates soften, and mixture is thick and mushy.
6. Spread date mixture over dough in pan.
7. Cover with remaining dough.
8. Bake at 325 for 40 min or until lightly browned.
9. Cut into 1"x2" bars while still warm; remove to wire racks to cool.