This is Grandpa Roy’s recipe and they are moist and delicious with the hint or orange.
Filling:
2 cups dates, chopped
1 teaspoons grated orange zest
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup water
2 teaspoons orange juice
¼ teaspoons baking soda
In a small saucepan, add all ingredients and cook over medium heat until dates are tender - about 10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Base:
2 cups oats
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup melted butter
1 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoons baking soda.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients and combine thoroughly. In a buttered 9x13 pan, press half of mixture into pan and press down to form a solid base. Add date mixture and smooth over base. Crumble remaining flour mixture over top. Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Remove and allow to cool.