Date Slices Recipe

225g/8 oz stoned (pitted) dates, chopped
30 ml/2 tbsp clear honey

30 ml/2 tbsp lemon juice
225 g/8 oz/1 cup butter or margarine

225 g/8 oz/2 cups wholemeal (wholewheat) flour
225 g/8 oz/2 cups rolled oats
75 g/3 oz soft brown sugar

Method:

Simmer the dates, honey and lemon juice over a low heat for a few minutes until the dates are soft. Rub the butter or margarine into the flour and oats until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in the sugar. Spoon half the mixture into a greased and lined 20 cm/8 in square cake tin (pan). Spoon the date mixture over the top, then finish with the remaining cake mixture. Press down firmly. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5 for 35 minutes until springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin, cutting into slices while still warm.