Cranberry Bars

I have been making these bars for years. I have made these for years. Sometimes I make them with the dates but most times without. I will leave the dates in the recipe that I post but don't feel you have to use them. These are really easy bars to make, they are a little tangy but good. I made a pan today and just between four people half the pan was gone. These would make wonderful bars to make for Christmas.

1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed 9I only use fresh)
1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
GLAZE:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
In a covered saucepan over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates and water for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cranberries have popped. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in butter until well blended. Pat half into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Spoon cranberry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Pat gently. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Cool.

Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over bars. Yield: 3 dozen.

Yum, Yum. Looks like everyone loved them. ;o)