Date Squares - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. regular oats (uncooked)
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 c. shortening
2 (8 oz.) pkg. whole pitted dates
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar

Preparation

Combine the 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.