Old Fashioned Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup raisins (chopped will make the bars easier to cut) or 1 cup dates, whole or chopped (chopped will make the bars easier to cut)
3/4 cup water
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup flour
1/3 cup shortening (or unsalted butter, softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (1/2 tsp at high altitude)
1/3 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 cup whole wheat flour or 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ginger

Preparation

Combine raisins with water, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add oats and all other remaining ingredients; blend, then beat at medium speed for 1 minute.
Spread evenly in greased 13x9\" pan, and bake at 350F (375 at high altitude) until top springs back when touched lightly in the center (15-20 minutes).