Oatmeal-Date Bars

• 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

1. 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.
2. Set aside.
3. Cream butter; gradually add brown sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla, beating well.
5. Combine oats and next 4 ingredients; add to creamed mixture, stirring until mixture resembles coarse meal.
6. Press 2 cups oat mixture evenly into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining oat mixture aside.
7. Bake at 375u0b0 for 5 minutes or until crust looks puffed.
8. Spread date mixture over prepared crust and top with remaining oat mixture.
9. Bake at 375u0b0 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
11. Cut into bars.
12. Yield: 16 bars.

dates, water, lemon juice, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, regular oats, flour, baking powder, salt, vegetable cooking spray

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=61877 (may not work)