Date Layer Bars

• ½ cup shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1½ cups flour
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1¾ cups quick cooking oatmeal

Cream sugar and shortening; add sifted dry ingredients and oatmeal. Mix until crumbly. Firmly pat one-half the mixture in waxed paper lined 9” x 13” pan. Spread with date filling. Add remaining crumbs and pat smooth. Bake in 350 degrees oven for 30 minutes.

Date Filling:

Cook 1 lb. dates, cut and pitted, with 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water until the consistency of jam.