Date-Orange Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb. dates, cut up
1/2 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 c. water
3/4 c. shortening (1 1/2 sticks butter)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda dissolved in 2 Tbsp. hot water
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 3/4 c. flour
1 (14 oz.) pkg. candy orange slices
powdered sugar

Preparation

Boil dates, sugar, flour and water until thick, then let cool. Spread 1/2 of batter in greased 9 x 13 pan or smaller.
Cover with candy orange slices (which have been sliced lengthwise in 3 pieces).
Spread date mixture over orange slices.
Spread on remaining batter.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 40 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Cut in small bars.
These bars freeze well.