1 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. dates, chopped
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. dark brown sugar
1 c. oats
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. unsalted butter, diced
1 bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use 8-by-8-inch metal pan.
Boil water. Add dates and simmer until soft and thick, about 10 minutes. Cool, stir in vanilla.
Combine flour, sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub until moist clumps form. Press half oat mixture into bottom of pan.
Spread date mixture over crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Press gently to adhere.
Bake until brown at edges and golden brown in center — about 40 minutes.
Cool in pan. Cut into bars.