Chocolate Date Picnic Cake

Cake: 1/2 c Dates; chopped

1/2 ts Baking soda

1/2 c Boiling water

1 c Flour

1/2 c Sugar

1 tb Cocoa; unsweetened

1/4 ts Baking soda

1/4 ts Salt

1/2 c Butter or margarine;

-softened 1/2 ts Vanilla

1 Egg

1/2 c Semisweet chocolate chips

Topping: 1/2 c Semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 c Nuts; chopped

2 tb Sugar

Recipe by: Sue Klapper

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour bottom only of 8 inch square pan. In large bowl, combine dates, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and water; stir. Cool 5 mintues. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour and remaining cake ingredients except chips; blend at low speed until well combined. Beat 2 mintues at medium speed. S Stir in 1/2 cup chips. Pour batter into greased and floured pan. Sprinkle topping ingredients evenly over batter. Bake at 350 for 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in

center comes out clean. Serve warm or cool; top with whipped cream, if desired. Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fruit, 4 fat. -----