Party date bars

24 Bars

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2cupsPitted dates
½cupSugar
1Orange; grated peel
¼cupOrange juice
½cupChopped nutmeats
1cupSifted all-purpose flour
½teaspoonSoda
½teaspoonSalt
1cupQuaker Oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
1cupBrown sugar, firmly packed
½cupButter or margarine; melted

Directions

FILLING

CRUMB BASE

For filling, combine dates, sugar, orange peel and orange juice in medium-sized saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened. Cool. Stir in nutmeats.

For base, sift together flour, soda and salt. Add oats and sugar; mix well. Stir in butter; mix until crumbly. Firmly press ⅔ of mixture into greased 8-inch square baking pan. Spread filling evenly over crumb base. Top with remaining crumb mixture; pack lightly. Bake in preheated moderate oven (350 F.) 30 to 35 minutes. Cool; cut in bars.

Source: Our Favorites for family and friends Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Company Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias