Christmas Cookie

Hello Friends!

I am sharing another family favorite from my mother's recipe box. I believe this recipe was one of my Grandma Benson's as it has been in the family for years.

The name of this recipe is Christmas Cookies, but it is actually a bar. The combination of the tart apricots, sweet dates, and wholesome oats make for a festive party for your palate.

My brother, Chuck and I love this recipe. It is always on the Thanksgiving menu. He and I have a pact; I make Christmas Cookie for him and he makes pecan pie for me. It's a win-win deal!

Let's get baking!


Christmas Cookies

Filling

1 Cup Pitted Dates, cut into small pieces
3 1/2 Cups Drained Cooked Apricots (I use 2- 15 ounce cans)
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Water

Blend fruit with sugar and water in sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened (about 3 minutes). Cool slightly.

Crust

3/4 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Cups All-purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 Cups Quick Cooking Oats
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Blend shortening, sugar and vanilla until well combined. Sift flour and soda and mix with oatmeal. Add dry ingredients to the wet and work into a dough (it will be crumbly).

Press 1/2 the mixture on the bottom of a 9" x 13" greased pan. Spread the filling over the surface of the crust (make sure the apricots and dates are evenly distributed). Top with the remaining crumbs and press into the filling gently with a spoon.

Bake for 30 minutes in a 350* oven.

I'm linking to Johanna's International Christmas Cookie Exchange and Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday Thanksgiving Break.