FILLING:

1 lb. pitted dates
1 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla

CRUST:

1 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. chilled unsalted butter

FILLING: Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer 1 minute. Puree mixture in processor. Cool.

CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9x13 inch baking pan. Mix oats, flour, sugar and soda in medium bowl. Add butter, cut into small pieces, and rub with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Firmly press half of crumb mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Spread filling over crust. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over filling. Bake until topping is golden brown, about 38 minutes. Cool. Cut into squares and serve.