Date Layer Bars
½ cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 ½ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ¾ cup quick-cook oatmeal
1 pound pitted dates
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Cream shortening and sugar; add sifted dry ingredients and oatmeal. Mix until crumbly. Press half the mixture into a 9x13 pan. Spread date filling over mixture (see instructions below), top with remaining crumb mixture and pat smooth. Bake 30 minutes at 350.
Filling: Combine dates, sugar and water. Cook on top of stove to the consistency of jam.
