Date bars - Elva Lacombe recipe - from the The 5th Generation - Family Cookbook Family Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter - softened
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
• Date filling:
• 3 cups dates (cut up or 2 boxes)
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups orange juice or water
• *Variation: omit date filling and substitute 1 cup of your favorite jam.