DATE BARS

I think we all have memories of foods that stand out from our childhood.  Memories of our mothers making them at certain times of the year or for special occasions.  One that I remember is the date bars my mom used to make.  I can remember how we waited for them to get done.  I was not a big fan of dates as a kid but for some reason I got caught up in the excitement of waiting for them too and when I ate them they were delicious..  I found what looks exactly like the kind she made on Date Bars I Recipe - Allrecipes.com.

2 1/2 cups dates, pitted and chopped

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup water 

Crust:

3 cups rolled oats

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square baking pan.

2. To make filling: In a small saucepan, combine dates, brown sugar, and water. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. To make the crust: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture becomes crumbly.

 4. Press half of crust evenly into baking pan.

 5. Spread date mixture over the top.

6. Crumble remaining crust mixture over the top of date mixture.

7. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

8.  Let cool on wire racks before cutting into bars.