Party Date Bars

--FILLING

-- 2 c Pitted dates

1/2 c Sugar

1 Orange; grated peel

1/4 c Orange juice

1/2 c Chopped nutmeats

-CRUMB BASE

- 1 c Sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 ts Soda

1/2 ts Salt

1 c Quaker Oats, uncooked

-- (quick or old-fashioned) 1 c Brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 c Butter or margarine; melted

For filling, combine dates, sugar, orange peel and orange juice in medium-sized saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened. Cool. Stir in nutmeats. For base, sift together flour, soda and salt. Add oats and sugar; mix well. Stir in butter; mix until crumbly. Firmly press 2/3 of mixture into greased 8-inch square baking pan. Spread filling evenly over crumb base. Top with remaining crumb mixture; pack lightly. Bake in preheated moderate oven (350 F.) 30 to 35 minutes. Cool; cut in bars. Source: Our Favorites for family and friends Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Company Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias