1 c. chopped dates
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda

Pour boiling water over dates, add soda and set aside to cool.

1 egg
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. oil or melted butter
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. nuts

Beat egg, add sugar, vanilla, oil. Sift salt and flour twice, add alternating with mixture of date and water. Add nuts. Bake in 8 x 12 inch pan 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and quickly cover with topping and bake 10 minutes longer.

TOPPING:

1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. melted butter
2 tbsp. water
3/4 c. nuts