1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. dates, cut up
1 tbsp. butter
1 egg
1 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped walnuts

Combine water and baking soda; pour over dates and let stand to soften. Combine with other ingredients. Pour into greased 9-inch square pan, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

The Amish serve this with whipped topping--after the cake cools, break it up into bite-size pieces and mix it with enough whipped topping to cover the cake completely.