Date-Filled Oatmeal Bars

Combine flour, oats, soda, salt and brown sugar.

Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press half of mixture into an ungreased 12 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan.

Combine dates, 1 cup sugar and water in a medium saucepan; cook over low heat until sugar dissolves and dates are soft. Mixture should be thick and mushy.

Spread mixture evenly over dough in pan; cover with remaining oats mixture. Bake at

325° for minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into 2

1-inch bars warm. Remove to wire racks to cool.

4 dozen.