Date Bars

Date Filling (below)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 ¾ cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ cups quick-cooking oatsPrepare Date Filling. Heat oven to 400°F. Mix brown sugar and butter. Mix in remaining ingredients. Press half of the mixture in greased 13×9x2 inch pan; spread with filling. Top with remaining crumbly mixture, pressing lightly.

Bake until light brown, 25-30 minutes. Cut into bars, about 2×1½ inches, while warm. 3 dozen cookies.

Date Filling:
Heat 1 pound dates, cut up (about 3 cups), 1 ½ cups water and ¼ cup sugar over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes; cool.