Anononymous 8-08-05

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, diced, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter 8x8-inch metal baking pan. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to simmer in medium saucepan. Add dates; simmer until

very soft and thick, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Cool

to room temperature. Stir in vanilla. Combine flour,

sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in large bowl; stir to

blend. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub in until moist clumps form.

Press half of oat mixture evenly over bottom of prepared pan. Spread

date mixture over. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture; press gently

to adhere. Bake until brown at edges and golden brown and set in

center, about 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack. Cut into

bars and serve. Makes 16.