Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins (chopped will make the bars easier to cut) or 1 cup dates, whole or chopped (chopped will make the bars easier to cut)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup shortening (or unsalted butter, softened)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda (1/2 tsp at high altitude)
• 1/3 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 1 egg