Gluten-Free Fig Bars

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 2-quart square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. For filling, in a small saucepan combine figs and 1 cup water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until figs are soft. Transfer figs and cooking liquid to a blender or food processor. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Cover and blend until smooth.
3. For crust, in a food processor combine the next six ingredients (through salt). Process until well combined. Add ½ cup water, 2 tablespoons at a time, and process until mixture comes together into a ball. (You may not use all the water, depending on how dry the dates are.) Press crust mixture into bottom of prepared baking dish.
4. For topping, in a small food processor combine walnuts and oats. Pulse a few times until mixture is small crumbly pieces. Add 2 tablespoons water; pulse three to five times or until pieces are pea-size and crumbly.
5. Spread fig filling over crust in baking dish. Sprinkle with topping. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes in baking dish. Using parchment paper, remove bars from baking dish. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 16 bars.