Date bars have crumbly upper and lower surfaces with a date filling in the middle. Also 
see the Date Squares recipe.

Ingredients

    * ¼ cup sugar
    * 3 c cut-up dates (1 pound)
    * 1½ cup water
    * ¼ cup shortening
    * ½ cup butter or margarine
    * 1 cup brown sugar
    * ½ tsp baking soda
    * 1¾ cup flour
    * 1½ cup quick-cooking oatmeal
    * 1 tsp salt

Procedure

   1. Mix the dates, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
   2. Cook over low heat stirring constantly approx. 10 minutes or until thickened. 
Cool.
   3. Cream together the butter, shortening, and brown sugar in a separate container.
   4. Mix in the flour, salt, baking soda, and oats. (into the crumble crust mix, not 
the date filling)
   5. Grease a 13x9 pan.
   6. Evenly press ½ of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the pan.
   7. Spread the date filling on top.
   8. Evenly place remaining crumble mixture into the pan, pressing lightly.
   9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 400°F, or until light brown.
  10. Cut into bars while still warm.