Preheat the oven to 190°c
Prepare a 23x 23 cm baking tray. Use baking paper, add a few drops of water and scrunch it up, flatten it back out and line the tray. (This is a great technique for helping to pack in the mixture and not letting it stick)
Place all the filling ingredients in a pan with lid on to simmer till dates are soft (approx 15 mins). Add an extra tablespoon of water as required. Occassionaly stir and use a wooden spoon to break the dates down.
If using a food processor: add flour and butter whizz to create fine breadcrumbs. Then add oats and sugar, giving a short whizz to mix and break the oats up a litte.
If doing by hand: Rub flour and butter together to create fine bread crumbs, stir in sugar and oats.
Add half the base mixture to the baking tray and press down firmly.
Add the date filling spreading it out evenly.
Top with the remaining base mixture and pack it all down firmly.
Place in the oven for 35-40 minutes.
Once ready remove from oven and cool to cool for 5 mins. Keeping it in the tray cut out 10 slices. Leave the bars in the tray til completely cooled.
Store in an air tight container.
