1 3/4 c. quick Quaker oats
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. melted butter
1 c. light brown sugar

FILLING:

1 c. cold water
1/2 c. white sugar
8 oz. pitted dates

Cut dates. Add sugar and water; cook until thick. Cool. Mix all other ingredients together. Pat half of the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Spread date filling over the oats mixture. Cover with the rest of the oats mixture and pat down easily. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Yield: 2 dozen squares.