Date Nut Bars

• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 10 oz dates, pitted and chopped
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups vegetable shortening
• 6 eggs, separated
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 8 oz sour cream
• 5 cups flour
• ½ cup ground walnuts

1. Combine chopped walnuts, dates, water and 2 cups sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil until liquid is absorbed. Set aside to cool.
2. Cream together shortening and 1 cup sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Beat in salt, soda, vanilla, and sour cream. Add flour one cup at a time, and beat well with wooden spoon. Divide dough in halves.
4. Pat half of the dough to 14x10 inch rectangle on a baking sheet. Cover with cooled nut-date mixture. Cover filling with remaning dough.
5. Beat egg whites until stiff and spread over pastry. Sprinkle all over with ground nuts.
6. Bake at 350° about 50 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Cool, then cut into bars or squares of desired size.