Date Bars With A Difference Recipe

Ingredients

DATE COOKIES WITH A DIFFERENCE

Crust/topping:

1 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. butter

1 1/2 c. quick oatmeal (dry)

1/2 t. salt

1 1/2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/4 cup chopped almonds (reserve for topping)

FILLING:

8 oz. chopped dates

1/2 c. port wine

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cardamom

1 Tsp. finely grated orange peel.

Preparation

Directions for crust/topping:Mix ingredients, crumbling between fingers. Put one half of the mixture on a buttered (8x8x2 inch) pan. Press mix firmly with hands, evenly covering pan. Spread with filling. Cover with the other half of the oatmeal mixture and press down lightly. Sprinkle with chopped almonds. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes. Cut into squares.

Directions for filling:

Place ingredients in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until smooth.