• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper then set aside.

Date Filling:

• Make the date filling first. Pit and chop the dates.
• Add the chopped dates, water and baking soda to a saucepan, then over low-medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer until the dates have softened, about 10 minutes.

  2 1/2 cups chopped and pitted dates, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 tsp baking soda
• Set aside to cool.

Oat Bar:

• In a bowl whisk together the quick oats, flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.

  1 3/4 cups quick oats, 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/8 tsp salt, 3/4 cup brown sugar
• Add the butter then mix it in until the oat mixture looks crumbly. You can use a pie cutter or a fork to combine everything. You can also use a cheese grater to grate the butter into the mixture so it's easier to combine.

  3/4 cup butter

Putting it all together.

• Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. You can use a spatula to press it down.
• Spread the cooled date filling over the bottom oat layer.
• Add the remaining oat mixture evenly over the date filling, and press it down gently to seal it.
• Bake for 50 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
• Let cool at least 2 hours before cutting into squares. You can cut it into 16 large squares or 20 smaller ones.