Oatmeal-Date Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. pitted whole dates, chopped
3/4 c. water
2 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 c. butter, softened
2/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. regular oats (uncooked)
1 c. whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
vegetable cooking spray

Preparation

Combine dates, water and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
Set aside.
Cream butter; gradually add brown sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla, beating well.
Combine oats and next 4 ingredients; add to creamed mixture, stirring until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Press 2 cups oat mixture evenly into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining oat mixture aside.
Bake at 375\u00b0 for 5 minutes or until crust looks puffed.
Spread date mixture over prepared crust and top with remaining oat mixture.
Bake at 375\u00b0 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Cut into bars.
Yield: 16 bars.