---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

     Title: Caramel-Date Bars
Categories: Cookies
     Yield: 36 servings

     1 c  Brown sugar
   1/2 c  Butter or margarine
          Softened
   1/4 c  Shortening
 1 3/4 c  All-purpose flour
 1 1/2 c  Oats; quick-cooking
     1 ts Salt
   1/2 ts Baking powder
     1 lb Fresh dates; (3 cups)
 1 1/2 c  Water
   1/4 c  Sugar
    14 oz Caramel candies
     1 c  Flaked coconut

    Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix brown sugar, margarine,and shortening.
 Stir in 1 3/4 cups Flour, the Oats, salt, and Baking Powder. Remove 2 cups
 of the mixture; Reserve. Press remaining mixture in an ungreased rectangle
 pan 13x9x2 ins.
    Heat 1 pound od Dates, cut up about (3 cups) ! 1/2 cups of water and 1/4
 cup Sugar over a low heat stiring constantly until it becomes thick. About
 10 min. Set aside to cool.
    Spread this mixture over the first layer in the pan, heat the candies
 over a low heat, and when melted spread this over the top of the Date
 mixture. Top with the reserved Oat mixture and sprinkle the Flaked Coconut
 on top, press fimrly down. Bake until golden brown appx. 25 to 30 min. Cut
 into bars 2x1 1/2 inches while warm. This recipe will yeild appx. 36 Bars.
 The Carmels are not really needed but add a far better flavor...

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