Crumb Date Cake

Ingredients for crumb mixture:

1½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine

Ingredients for date filling:

1 lb chopped dates
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions for crumb mixture:

• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Using your hands, rub the butter into the dry mixture until it becomes like crumbs.
• Put half of the crumb mixture into a greased 8-inch (20 cm) square cake pan. Save the other half of the mixture for top.

Directions for date filling:

• In a saucepan, cook dates with water and sugar until soft; let it cool. Stir in lemon juice.
• Spread filling over the crumb layer and sprinkle with the remaining crumbs; pat lightly.
• Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool and cut into squares.

TIP: Instead of dates use same amount of dried chopped figs for filling.