3/4 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. soda

1 1/2 cups of pastry flour

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 pkg. dates

1 cup boiled water

Cream shortening, add 1 cup sugar, cream mixture. Combine soda, flour, oats and add. Cut dates, add remaining 1/2 cup sugar and boiling water. Cook until thick. Press 1/2 of the cookie mixture into pan. Cover with dates and put rest of mixture over top. Bake in moderate oven 375* for 25 minutes. Cut in squares and let cool in pan.

-Vera Gilmore