Date Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 c. chopped dates (1 lb.)
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter

Preparation

Mix by hand.
Cook dates, sugar and water over medium heat until thick and smooth. Remove from heat and add, mixing by hand, vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt and lemon juice.
Set aside.
Sift together the flour, soda and salt.
Add oatmeal, brown sugar and butter and mix until crumbly.
Spread 1/2 of oatmeal mixture in a 9 x 13-inch pan.
Spread date mixture over.
Crumble remaining oatmeal mix over; press to flatten.
Bake 30 minutes at 350\u00b0.