Oatmeal Date Bars

Ingredients

 * 1 cup of white flour
 * 1 cup of raw oatmeal
 * ⅔ cup of packed brown sugar (or ½ cup regular sugar plus ¼ cup of date syrup)
 * ¼ teaspoon baking soda
 * ¼ teaspoon baking powder
 * ½ cup of butter or margarine, softened
 * 1 cup of packed, chopped pitted dates, ½ cup of water, and juice of a lemon (or 1 cup of date paste and 3 tablespoons of butter)
 * ⅓ 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.
 * 2) Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and nuts (alternatively, heat the date paste with the 3 tablespoons of margarine and nuts).
 * 3) In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.
 * 4) Cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles course crumbs.
 * 5) Press ⅔ of the flour mixture in a 9" x 9" baking pan.
 * 6) Spread the filling over it.
 * 7) Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the top.
 * 8) Very lightly press the top (you want the top to be flaky, so press only to help the crumbs stick on once cooked).
 * 9) Bake in a 350°F oven for about 30–35 minutes or until the top is golden.
 * 10) Cut into squares and serve warm or cool.