Karen Buckley's $50 Winner Cranberry Date Bars

 Boy, do I have some very talented bakers and cooks in my friend group. Who share their food, treats...and the recipes to make them myself. Though I don't know if I can recreate this as well as Karen. The recipe is dated 1987. Karen didn't win $50...but these definitely deserve a blue ribbon! Thanks, Karen!!

Cranberry Date Bars

1 12 ounce package of cranberries

1 8 ounce package of chopped and pitted dates

1 teaspoon vanilla

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2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups rolled oats

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup of margarine or butte, melted

1 recipe Orange Glaze

For filing, in a medium saucepan combine cranberries and dates. Cook, covered, over low heat for 10-15 minutes or until cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Stir in Vanilla. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in margarine or butter until well blended. Pat half of the oat mixture in the 9x13. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Carefully spread filling over baked oat mixture. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. Drizzle with Orange Glaze and cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.

Orange Glaze:

In a medium mixing bow, stir together 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and enough orange juice (2-3 tablespoons) to make a drizzling consistency.  (3/4 cup).