DATE OATMEAL BARS

4 C. oatmeal

2 C. brown sugar

4 C. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 3/4 C. melted shortening

Knead above ingredients into crumbs and add 1/4 C. boiling water and 2 tsp. soda (stir soda into water). Pack 1/2 of mixture into a long loaf pan and pour cooled date filling over it. Top with remaining crumb mixture and bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.

Date Filling

Cook together until jelly-like, 2 C. sugar and 2 C. boiling water and 8 oz. cut-up dried dates. (Apricot or raspberry jam may be substituted for date filling.)

JoAnne Mason