First Place Apricot-Date Bars

Ingredients

Crumb mixture:

3/4 cup melted shortening

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Apricot filling:

1 cup pitted dates (Medjool or similar) cut into small pieces

8 oz package dried apricots cut into small piece

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup Kerns apricot nectar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

For the crumb mixture:

In a large bowl blend shortening and sugar. Sift flour and soda and add to bowl. Add the oatmeal. Work well with hands. Press 1/2 of mixture on medium greased cookie sheet.

For the apricot filling:

Put the pitted dates, dried apricots, brown sugar, and apricot nectar in a sauce pan and cook for about 5 minutes until thick. Stir constantly as it can easiy burn. The apricot nectar should evaporate while it cooks. Cool slightly before spreading on crumb mixture. Once cool, spread the apricot mixture on top of the crumb mixture. Top with the rest of the crumb mix, pressing crumbs down firmly. Bake 30 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars and serving.