1 c. boiling water
1 c. chopped dates
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter
1 beaten egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. nuts

ICING:

5 tbsp. brown sugar
5 tbsp cream
2 tbsp. butter

Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup chopped dates and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Let stand while mixing other ingredients. Cream sugar and butter. Add egg and vanilla and add to date mixture. Add dry ingredients and nuts. Bake 35 minutes in moderate oven (350 degrees) in a 9 x 12 inch pan (greased). Boil icing for 3 minutes, spread on cake and sprinkle with coconut.