Chocolate Chip Date Cake

A great cake to take to potlucks and picnics on Memorial Day.

Date Mixture

• 1 1/4cups boiling water
• 1cup chopped dates
• 1teaspoon baking soda

Chocolate Chip Topping

• 1/2cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2cup chopped nuts
• 1/4cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4cup all-purpose flour
• 1tablespoon butter or margarine, softened

Cake

• 1 3/4cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2cup granulated sugar
• 1/2cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3cup vegetable oil
• 1teaspoon baking soda
• 1teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2teaspoon salt
• 2eggs

In a large bowl, pour boiling water on dates. Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda. Cool for about 15 minutes or until lukewarm. In a small bowl, mix all topping ingredients; set aside. Heat oven to 350°F. Stir all cake ingredients into the date mixture. Pour into an ungreased 9-inch square pan. Sprinkle with topping. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 2 hours.