CRUMB MIXTURE:

1 1/2 c. flour
1 3/4 c. uncooked oats
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. melted butter

FILLING:

2 - 8 oz. boxes Dromedary dates
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. water
Juice of 1 lemon (3 tbsp.)
2 tsp. cornstarch

Mix dry ingredients for crumb mixture. Add vanilla and butter. Press half of crumb mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan, reserve remaining crumb mixture for top. Filling: Cut up dates. Combine dates, sugar, water, lemon juice and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring occasionally. Cool. Spread date mixture in pan. Cover with remaining crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars.