In large bowl add flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and salt
Melt butted and add to the flour mixture, stir with a woden spoon. mixture should look dry but ball together easily.
set aside
In a medium sized saucepan add dates, add just enough water to cover dates. Add lemon juice.
Over medium heat bring dates to a rolling boil, stir continuously for 5 min. dates should be tender and squish easily when poked with spoon. boil longer if needed.
Remove from heat and transfer pot to heat protective mat on the counter.
With hand held beater blend mixture until you are left with a creamy caramel like texture.
pre heat over to 375°f
prepare baking pan with spray oil and line with parchment paper. paper should exceed the sides of the pan to make it easier to grab and lift out when ready to serve.
Divide flour mixture and pack 1 half into bottom of 9x9 pan pressing down with the back of a spoon.
Layer date mixture on top evenly spread over the entire pan.
Sprinkle remaining half of the flour mixture on top to cover date mixture.
Bake in over for 20 min. Top should have a slight golden brown color when complete.
Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and slicing into desired size squares.