Orange & Date Matrimony Bars

Combine filling ingredients (dates, brown sugar, baking soda, orange juice and rind and water) in a saucepan, simmer covered until the fruit is very soft. Set aside to cool.

Mix dry ingredients (oats, flour, brown sugar, soda and salt) together for the crust and topping, then cut in the butter with a pastry blender to form a crumb mixture. Press half of the crumbs firmly into a well greased 9 x 13” glass baking dish. Spread with the cooled date mixture then sprinkle the remaining crumbs evenly over the top, patting them lightly into the dates.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown. Don’t over bake.

Cool slightly then cut into squares.