Date Crumble

1 . Stage

Preheat oven to 355 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.

2 . Stage

Combine dates, water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until filling mixture forms a paste, about 5 minutes. Add more water if filling gets too thick. Remove saucepan from heat and cool.

3 . Stage

Place flour in a bowl and rub margarine into flour using your hands until mixture resembles bread crumbs; stir in oats and 3/4 cup sugar. Press 1/2 of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon filling over over crust, smoothing with the back of the spoon, leaving a thin border between the filling and the edge of the dish. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over filling.

4 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.