Paratus Familia Share: Survival Bars

Another great recipe from Paratus Familia.  I'm telling you, the recipes are declicious...and many use pantry stock, which is always a plus.

Survival Bars...aka Filled Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 C. Shortening (or lard or butter)
1 1/2 C. Brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda mixed with 6 T. hot Water
3 C. Oatmeal (I use thick cut)
3 C. Flour (may use white or whole wheat)
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. Salt

Combine shortening, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add soda in water, nutmeg, salt, flour.  Stir in oatmeal.  Add more water or flour to make a nice, workable dough.  Roll out thin.  Cut out with round cookie or biscuit cutter (or whatever shape floats your boat).  Lay cookies on cookie sheet, place desired filling on them (1 tsp. or so) and top with another cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  There is no need to seal the edges.  My preference for filling is raspberry or blackberry jam.  However, any kind of jam would be wonderful or you could use a raisin filling (good stored foods item).

Raisin filling:
Grind or chop fine 1 1/2 to 2 C. raisins, dates or prunes.  Add 1 C. sugar and 1 C. water.  Bring to a boil.  Mix 2 tsp. cornstarch with a little water for thickening.