1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. shortening
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats

DATE FILLING:

3 c. cut-up dates
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. sugar

Preheat date filling. Mix the 3 ingredients together in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes, or until thickened. Cool. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9x13x2 inch baking pan.

Cream butter, shortening, and sugar. Mix in remaining ingredients. Press half of mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining crumb mixture, press lightly. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until light brown.

While warm, cut into bars, about 2 x 1 1/2 inches. 3 dozen cookies.