No Bake Date Bars

16 ounces dates
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut meat
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup honey
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups oats, uncooked
2/3 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine dates, coconut, butter or margarine, water, honey and salt in a large, heavy saucepan; cook over medium heat until mixture reaches a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; cook 3 to 4 minutes, mashing dates until mixture is thick and blended. Remove from heat.

Stir in oats, nuts and vanilla.

Spoon mixture into a 9-inch square pan that has been lined with waxed paper. Place in refrigerator and chill 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Cut into 18 bars; lift waxed paper from pan and separate bars. Store bars in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Yields 1 1/2 dozen.