1 c. oil or melted butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. oats
2 c. flour
1 c. chopped almonds
1/2 tsp. salt, or less

FILLING:

1 pkg. dates
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla

For more filing, add additional 1/4 cup sugar and additional 1/4 cup water.

Mix dates with white sugar, water, and vanilla. Cook in saucepan until thick. (The dates may be snipped with scissors and more water added if the package of dates is rather dry.)

Mix together remaining ingredients until flaky.

Pat half of the oatmeal mixture in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Spread cooked date mixture onto the bottom crust. Sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until delicately brown.