WEIGHT WATCHERS OATMEAL-DATE BARS

1 1/2 cups dates, chopped
3/4 cup water
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup stick margarine, softened
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup regular oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine dates, water and lemon juice in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; set aside.

Cream margarine. Gradually add brown sugar; beating at medium speedd of a mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla; beat well. Combine oats and next 4 ingredients; stir well. Add oat mixture to creamed mixture, stirring until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Press 2 cups oat mixture evenly into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining oat mixture aside. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes or until crust is puffy.

Spread date mixture over prepared crust; sprinkle with remaining oat mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Yield: 16 bars (serving size: 1 bar)

Points: 3
Exchanges: 1 Fruit, 1 Starch, 1/2 Fat.

Per serving: CAL 159 (24% from fat); PRO 2g; FAT 4.3g (sat 0.8g); CARB
29.7g; FIB 2.3g; CHOL 0mg; IRON 0.9mg; SOD 92mg; CALC 19mg.

Source: Weight Watchers Magazine; January/February 1998