1 (8 oz.) pkg. dates
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. lemon juice or vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 c. sifted flour
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. nuts
1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

Pour boiling water over chopped dates; add baking soda and cool. Cream together sugar and butter; add eggs and flavoring; beat until fluffy. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with cooled date mixture. Mix well. Spread in greased 15 1/2 x 8 inch pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts and chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars.