Date Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. pitted dates, cut up
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. quick cooking oatmeal
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp. water

Preparation

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water and cook, stirring frequently until very thick.
Stir in walnuts.
Cool. Sift flour, salt and soda together in a mixing bowl; add oats and brown sugar.
Cut in butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly.
Pat half of mixture into a greased 12 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool and cut into bars.
Can yield up to 48 bars depending on size you cut.