1-1/4 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon soda
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (6 ounces) chocolate chips
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Put dates and soda in a bowl, cover with boiling water. Let stand until cold. Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs. Stir in dry ingredient and then the cooled date mixture.
Grease an 8” x 12” baking pan. Pour in the batter. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, nuts and 1 tablespoon sugar over the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Or you may cut in small snack squares.