Oatmeal Dream Dates

By Hklbrries

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package pitted dates, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Tropicana orange juice
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
• 3/4 pound (3 sticks) margarine or butter, chilled and cut into pieces
• 2 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut, divided
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Details

Servings 36

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a medium saucepan, combine dates and orange juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Cut in margarine with a pastry blender or 2 knives until crumbly. Stir in oats, 1 cup coconut and nuts.

Reserve 4 cups oat mixture for topping. Press remaining oat mixture evenly onto bottom of an ungreased 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Spread date mixture over crust to within ¼ inch of edges. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup coconut, patting gently.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until light golden brown. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.