INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounce package chopped dates
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup margarine

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 9 x 13″ baking pan.
2. Combine dates and water in saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until mixture is thick and dates are very soft.
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool.
4. Combine flour, oatmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt in mixing bowl.
5. Add margarine, work with fingers or spoon until mixture becomes coarse crumbs.
6. Pour 2/3 crumb mixture in baking pan. Reserve remaining crumbs.
7. Firmly press crumb mixture on bottom of pan. Place date mixture on top. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over date mixture. Press crumbs lightly.
8. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan.

Yield: 24 squares