Valencian Orange Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 c. hot water
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 small pkg. dates
2 beaten eggs
2 c. flour
1/2 c. milk
1 c. chopped almonds or walnuts
1 orange (the rind and the juice)
pinch of salt

Preparation

Pour hot water and baking soda over the dates, which have been chopped into very small pieces.
Allow to sit.