Dole Date And Cranberry Crumb Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces pitted dates (chopped)
3/4 cup orange juice, divided
1/2 cup dried cranberries, divided
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup reduced-calorie margarine (melted)
2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

Cook dates with 1/2 cup juice, in saucepan, 5 minute or until thickens. Stir in remaining juice, 1/3 cup cranberries, and orange peel.
Combine sugar and honey in bowl. Add oats flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in bowl.
Slowly add margarine until combined.
Press 2/3 of oat mixture onto bottom of 8\" or 9\" square pan. Spread date filling over crust. Stir remaining 1/4 cup cranberries into oat mixture. Cover filling with crust. Press down firmly.
Bake at 375 for 25 minute or until lightly brown.
Cool and let cut.