Picnic Date Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup chopped dates
1 1/2 cups hot water
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup shortening (not margarine)
1/2 tea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
Toppings
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips

Preparation

Soak the chopped dates in the hot water until cool.
Cream together the eggs, granulated sugar and shortening.
Add the salt, soda, cinnamon and vanilla.
Add the flour, dates and water.
Pour into a greased and slightly floured 9X13 pan.
Sprinkle the toppings onto the batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.