Picnic Date Cake

                                                                         1 heaping C. pitted diced dates

                                                                         1 1/2 C. boiling water  pour over the dates

                                                                         1 tsp. soda

3/4 C. shortening or butter                                 1 tsp. vanilla

1 C. sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 C plus 2 T. flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

Add soda and vanilla to date mixture and set aside (a pyrex 4 C. measuring C. works well). In another bowl, sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream sugar and shortening or butter. Add eggs and mix well. Add date mixture alternately with dry ingredients. Turn into greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle topping (below) over batter and bake at 350 for 30 to 40 min.

topping

mix together:

1/2 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. chopped nuts

1/2 C. chocolate chips