Oatmeal Date Bars

Ingredients

 * 1 cup of white flour
 * 1 cup of raw oatmeal
 * 2/3 cup of packed brown sugar (or 1/2 cup regular sugar plus 1/4 cup of date syrup)
 * 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
 * 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
 * 1/2 cup of butter or margarine, softened
 * 1 cup of packed, chopped pitted dates, 1/2 cup of water, and juice of a lemon
 * (or 1 cup of date paste and 3 Tablespoons of butter)
 * 1/3 cup of chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Make the filling by boiling the dates with the water for about 5 minutes or until bubbly and soft. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and nuts. (Alternatively, heat the date paste with the 3 Tablespoons of margarine and nuts.)
 * 2) In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles course crumbs. Press 2/3 of the flour mixture in a 9" x 9" baking pan. Spread the filling over it. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the top. Very lightly press the top. (You want the top to be flaky, so press only to help the crumbs stick on once cooked.) Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden. Cut into squares and serve warm or cool.