Best Date Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. pitted dates, cut up
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. water
1/3 c. chopped nuts
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 Tbsp. water

Preparation

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water.
Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick.
Stir in nuts; cool.
Meanwhile, 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 into a greased 13 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.
Yields 40 bars.