Don't Mind If I Do

OK bakers, here is a super scrumptious recipe contributed by parent Karen Merchant. The dates and oats in the mixture should fix you right up!

Date Oatmeal Bars

1 1/2 cups Regular oats -- uncooked
1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 (8-ounce) packages whole pitted dates
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla or maple extract

Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture for topping.Press remaining mixture into an ungreased 13- x 9- x 2-inch pan.Chop dates. Combine dates, water, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add vanilla or maple extract. Spread date mixture over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with reserved 1 cup crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Makes about 4 dozen date bars.