Filling:
1 Cup pitted dates, chopped (I use fresh Bajool dates from the produce section!)
1 3/4 Cup drained, cooked apricots (unsweetened)
(Carrie uses canned apricots)
1/2 Cup brown (or white) sugar
2 Tablespoons liquid drained from apricots, or water
Boil 3 minutes (or until fruit begins to soften up)
Cookie:
3/4 Cup melted shortening (1/2 butter)
1 Cup brown sugar
2 Cups flour
1 Teaspoon baking soda
2 Cups oatmeal
1 Teaspoon vanilla
Blend shortening and sugar.
Sift flour and soda and mix with oatmeal.
Blend dry ingredients and vanilla into sugar and fat mixture.
Press 1/2 or so mixture on bottom of well greased baking pan and spread apricot-date filling over oatmeal mixture.
Top with remaining oatmeal mixture.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.
When cool cut into bars.