Add the ½ cup pitted dates to a small bowl and fill with water warm, let soak for 15 minutes.

Add the soaked dates and ⅓ cup of the soaking water to a high-speed blender with the maple syrup, coconut oil and pumpkin pie spice; blend until smooth.

In a large bowl add oats, pecans, hemp hearts, flax seeds and sea salt; then stir together.

Pour the blended date mix to the large bowl and mix well.

Spread out about a ½ inch thick on a baking dish lined with parchment paper or a silpat.

Bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in ½ cup, chopped dates.

Let cool completely before serving and storing.