Date cake
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 lb. pkg. dates
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tbsp. shortening
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. boiling water

Add soda to boiling water and pour over cut up dates. Add shortening, sugar, egg, vanilla, and salt. Add flour and mix well. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until done in 9 x 13 pan. When cool, break up cake in pieces in a bowl rinsed in ice water. Add 1 cup cut up nuts and 2-3 bananas, cut up in chunks.

Mix and pat down in bowl quite firm and unmold on serving plate. Whip 1 1/4 cup whipped cream, sweetened with powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond flavor and cover mound of cake with whipped cream. Garnish with red cherries and sprig of holly and serve.

If you wish a larger serving, you may double size of cake and rest of ingredients. Served every Christmas in our family.