1 c. chopped dates
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. cane sugar
2 well-beaten eggs
1 1/4 c. plus 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda

Pour boiling water over dates and soda; allow to cool. Cream shortening with cane sugar. Add well-beaten eggs. Add cooled date mixture. Sift together all-purpose flour with salt and soda. Combine with mixture. Mix well and pour into oblong cake pan. Top with the following before baking.

Topping:

1 pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. nutmeats

Mix these 3 ingredients together and sprinkle over top of cake batter.

Bake at 350°F.