Date Bars

Preheat the oven to 170°C o gas mark 3. Grease and line a 23cm square baking tray.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, salt, sugar and bicarbonate of soda. Add the butter and mix until crumbly. Press half the mixture into the bottom o the prepare tray.

In a small pan over a medium heat, combine the dates, water and brown sugar. Bring to the boil and cook until thickened. Stir in the lemon juice and remove from the heat. Spread the filling evenly over the base, then pat the remaining crumb mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the chopped almonds.

Bake in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly toasted. Remove from the oven and allow to cool fully before cutting into the desired number of pieces.