Date Bars

These bars are delicious without the use of any refined vegan sugars. Use a food processor if you have one, otherwise you can mix the pastry by hand.
Using your steel blade, combine the flour, oats, salt, soda, and molasses for 1/2 minute. Next add your oil and again process for about 1/2 minute. Use the smaller amount of oil if you are cutting down on fats in your diet. The mixture will be crumbly, but should not be too dry.
Now, in an oiled 8x8 pan, pat 1/2 of the crumbs firmly into the bottom. Reserve the rest of the crumbs for the top.
Put the dates in a heavy saucepan with the water on a low heat. Stirring often, bring to a boil. The mixture will be like a thick jam. You may need to add water to keep the mixture from scorching.
Spread the finished date filling on the crumbs in your pan, and sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top, pressing firmly on them.
Bake for 25-30 min @ 350 F. Wait until these are cool to cut.
I specify corn oil because it has a really nice flavor in baked goods as opposed to canola or some other oil.