Bars and Squares
Christmas Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 salt
• 3/4 cup shortening, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 cups quick-cooking or regular oats, uncooked
• Filling (recipe followers)

Combine flour, soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, sugar, and water; beat until smooth. Stir in oats.

Spread half of dough in a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Spread filling evenly over dough. Roll out remaining dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper to form a 13×9 inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of waxed paper; place dough over filling. Remove remaining sheet of waxed paper; press dough lightly around edges to seal. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes.

Cool in pan, and cut into 3×1 1/2 inch bars.

Yield: about 2 dozen.

Filling:

• 2 cups chopped pitted dates
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Grated rind of 1 orange
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 3/4 cup water

Combine dates, sugar, orange rind, juice, and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring frequently. Cool.

Yield: filling for about 2 dozen bars.

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