1 c. chopped dates
1 c. boiling water
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 2/3 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Cover dates with boiling water. Cool to lukewarm. Thoroughly cream shortening and sugar; add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add date mixture then dry ingredients, beat well. Add nuts. Bake in waxed paper lined 8" square cake pan at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.