Oatmeal Dream Dates

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package pitted dates, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups orange juice
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups margarine or 1 1/2 cups butter, chilled and cut into pieces
• 2 cups quaker oatmeal
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut, divided

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350°f in medium saucepan, combine dates and orange juice; bring to a boil. reduce heat; simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. remove from heat; cool slightly. in large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. stir in oats, 1 cup coconut and nuts; mix well. reserve 4 cups oat mixture for topping. press remaining oat mixture evenly onto bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. spread date mixture evenly over crust to within 1/4 inch of edges. sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup coconut, patting gently. bake 35 to 40 minutes or until light golden brown. cool completely in pan on wire rack. cut into bars. store tightly covered.
• 2 eat.