Aunt Theresa's Date Bars Recipe

Directions:

1. Date filling: Combine 3 cups cut up pitted dates (about 1 lb), 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan.
2. Cook 10 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently until thickened.
3. Prepare date filling; while filling is cooking, preheat oven to 400°; grease a 13x9 baking pan.
4. Mix brown sugar, butter and shortning until blended; stir in flour, oatmeal, salt and baking soda until crumbly.
5. Press half of the crumbly mixture onto bottom of pan; spoon date filling evenly over crumbs, spreading carefully to edges of pan.
6. Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture over filling; press lightly.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes or until light brown.
8. Cut into 2 x 1 1/2 inch bars while still warm.