Matrimonial Cake

This recipe is a blast from the past which I found in an old community pamphlet from Winnipeg Hydro Home Service 1986.  I have no idea how it got its name, I tried to google it but found no concrete reason.  I think every Manitoban is familiar with this delicious square which is served at wedding and baby showers and almost any other gathering where dainties are served.

Ingredients
3/4 cup soft shortening (part butter)  I used coconut oil
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats  I used steel cut oats

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix shortening and brown sugar together.  Blend flour, baking soda and salt together.  Stir in shortening.  Mix in rolled oats.  Flatten half of mixture into bottom of a 13x9x2 inch greased pan.  Spread with cooled date filling (recipe below).  Top with remaining crumb mixture.  Pat lightly.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Date Filling
Mix 3 cups cut up dates, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 and 1/2 cups water in saucepan.  Cook over low heat stirring constantly, until mixture thickens (about 10 minutes).  Cool.