Banana and Date Bars

Perfect for packed lunch boxes or as teatime treats and ideal eaten before exercise.

Place the dates in a saucepan with the water and simmer for 10 minutes until soft and forms a paste.  Remove from the heat and stir in the banana.

Melt the margarine and sugar in a saucepan.  Remove from the heat and stir in the flour, baking powder and rolled oats.  Press half the mixture into the base of a lightly greased 18cm x 27cm   (7 x11”) shallow tin.  Spoon the date and banana mixture over the top, cover with the remaining oat mixture and press down gently.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180 C/350 F/Gas Mark 4 for 30 minutes until evenly browned.

Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then cut into 16 bars.  Remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack.

Not suitable for freezing.