Apricot - Date Bars

• 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 3/4 cups drained stewed apricots
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons apricot nectar
• 3/4 cup shortening, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To Make Filling: Cook together the dates, drained cooked apricots, white sugar and apricot juice.
2. Cook for about three minutes, or until it resembles jam.
3. To Make Crust: Mix together melted shortening (part butter), brown sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda, quick cooking oats, and vanilla.
4. Press half of the crust mixture on bottom of well greased 9 x 12 x 2 inch pan.
5. Cover with filling.
6. Top with rest of crumbs.
7. Press down gently.
8. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

dates, apricots, white sugar, apricot nectar, shortening, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, cooking oats, vanilla

Taken from allrecipes.com/recipe/apricot---date-bars/ (may not work)