Picnic Cake (With Dates) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup dates, cut up
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
TOPPING
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup nuts, chopped

Preparation

Combine the first 3 ingredients; let rest until cool.
Cream margarine and sugar, adding eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture. Fold in cooled dates.
Pour in a 9\" x 13\" baking pan. Mix TOPPING ingredients and sprinkle over batter.
Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes.