Date Squares

This recipe, from SouthernCooking.com, is just like my mom's (previously mentioned here).

Filling:

16 oz. chopped dates

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Oat mixture:

1 - 1/2 cups flour

1 - 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Pinch of salt

Combine the filling ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes or until thick. Remove from fire and cool.

Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, baking soda, and salt. Press about half of this mixture in a well-buttered 9" x 13" pan. Spread with the cooled filling and cover with the remaining oats mixture. Press down lightly with hands.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.