Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
To make Filling: In a saucepan over low heat, combine dates, water, white sugar, and lemon juice. Heat for about 8 minutes, or until thick. Set aside to let cool.
To make Pastry: In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats and salt. Mix until well blended. Add in shortening until mixture forms into coarse crumbs.
Press half of pastry mix into pan. Cover with date mixture and spread remaining pastry mix over the top.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool on wire rack before cutting.

Reviews (14)

HEIDI 'S HOME

Mar. 26, 2008

"I gave this five stars in that it is a quite versatile recipe. I have boiled up raisins in half water and half lemon juice. I added 1/2 tablespoon corntarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water to the fr..." See moreuit, to thicken it. I have also used dried apricots and/or an assortment of dried fruits that I put in the food processor to chop up. I boiled these in orange juice (no water). In the oatmeal mixture, I added 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, just to give it a little more flavor. Another filling is Cranraisins and dried apples boiled in apple juice. I am sure that others will come up with many other varitions. "

MOM3L

Jan. 23, 2006

"This was great. My husband asks for them on a weekly basis. One note, press down slightly on the top layer of oatmeal...tastes better...." See more"

maryp539

Oct. 7, 2009

"These Oatmeal Cookie Bars are awesome! I made a few substitutions: I didn't have dates so I used raisins (but I'm going to make sure I have dates on hand the next time I make these); I replaced the w..." See morehite sugar with Splenda and the brown sugar with Splenda brown sugar blend to cut down on some of the sugar and calories; I used butter instead of shortening. I also added a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the pastry and half a teaspoon to the filling. The resulting bars were so buttery and cinnamony good it was hard to stop eating them. "

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