Date Bars

For filling:
Combine dates, water,sugar and butter in a saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring until mixture becomes thick.Set aside to cool.

For crust:
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well.Add vanilla and butter and with fingers work butter into the dry ingredients to form a crumbly dough.Press half of the crust mixture into a 8x8x2  inch pan.Spread date mixture over the crust and crumble the remaining crust misture evenly over the filling. Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes.Cool completely before cutting into squares.