Date and Oatmeal Bars Recipe

175 g/6 oz/1 cup stoned (pitted) dates, chopped
15 ml/1 tbsp clear honey
30 ml/2 tbsp water
225 g/8 oz/2 cups wholemeal (wholewheat) flour
100g/4 oz/1 cup rolled oats
100 g/4 oz/4 cup soft brown sugar

150 g/5 oz butter or margarine, melted

Method:

Simmer the dates, honey and water in a small pan until the dates are soft. Mix together the flour, oats and sugar, then blend in the melted butter or margarine. Press half the mixture into a greased 18 cm/7 in square cake tin (pan), sprinkle with the date mixture, then top with the remaining oat mixture and press down gently. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°0350°F/gas mark 4 for 1 hour until firm and golden. Leave to cool in the tin, cutting into bars while still warm.