Date, Apple & Walnut Slice Recipe

My mum used to love anything with dates in it and this was one that she used to make. I can't remember if it was a feature recipe at her homemakers group from the church but whoever gave it to her knew that she loved date recipes. I had forgotten about this one until I came across it recently and decided to make it to see if it was as nice as I remembered it being. As it is a very healthy slice with no butter or sugar, it is suitable for diabetics.

INGREDIENTS:

85g rolled oats
375g dried pitted dates - chopped roughly
185ml water
250ml apple sauce
60ml honey
1 egg - lightly whisked
150g SR flour
110g walnuts - roughly chopped
butter for greasing pan

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly grease a 18 x 28cm slice tin and line base and side with greasproof or baking paper.
Spread the oats over a baking tray and cook in oven, shaking tray occassionally for 10 - 15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Set aside for 5 mins to cool.
Place dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low - medium heat, stirring, for 5 - 7 minutes or until dates are soft and have absorbed the water. Remove from heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add apple sauce and honey and stir to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
Add egg to date mixture and using a wooden spoon, mix well. Add toasted rolled oats, flour and walnuts and mix until well combined.
Spoon mixture evenly into the prepared tin and smooth the surface.
Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until firm to the touch and cooked through.
Cool completely in the rin before removing a cutting into squares.