- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1/2 pound dates, pitted and chopped
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl; cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture is mealy and butter pieces are uniformly small.
- Press half of oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cook dates with water in a small saucepan over medium heat until they fall apart and are easily mashed with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes; remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Spoon date mixture evenly over oat mixture in baking pan; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top and press into place.
- Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden at the edges, about 30 minutes; remove to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.