Chocolate Chip Date Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. chopped dates or cut in small pieces
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. nut meats, chopped (optional)

Preparation

Pour water over dates and add soda.
Let cool.
Cream together shortening, sugar and eggs.
Add date mixture to three ingredients, then add flour, salt and baking soda.
Mix well and put batter in 13 x 9-inch cake pan.
Top with the following before baking:
chocolate chips, sugar and nut meats.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 35 to 40 minutes.