Date and Walnut Bars

   These are sweet and buttery.

      1  pkg (10 oz) dates, snipped
   1/3  cup water
1 1/2  cups flour
      1  cup  packed brown sugar
      1  cup  rolled oats
   1/2  cup finely chopped walnuts
   3/4  cups (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

   In medium saucepan, combine dates and water.  Bring to boil;  reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.  Cool.  In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats and walnuts.  Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly.  Press 3 cups lightly packed crumb mixture into bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan;  spread with date mixture.  Sprinkle with remaining crumbs; press lightly.

   Bake in preheated oven 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

   Cool in pan on wire rack.