Cranberry Date Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries or (12 ounce) package frozen cranberries
1 (8 ounce) package chopped dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
Orange Glaze
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 -3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

In a saucepan, combine cranberries and dates.
Cover and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until berries pop, stirring often. (I also mash the cranberries with a fork once they are soft enough and reach the about-to-pop stage).
Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla; set aside.
In a bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt.
Stir in butter until crumbly.
Press half into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan.
Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Spoon cranberry mixture over the crust; spread gently. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture;pat down gently.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.
Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over bars.
Yield: 4 dozen.