Snip 1 cup pitted dates into a 9 inch round or square baking dish; add 2 tablespoons butter. Pour 1 cup boiling water over; stir to melt butter and soften dates.

Add: 1 1/2 c. flour 1/2 c. granulated sugar 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. broken California walnuts

Beat with fork until mixture is thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Scrape bottom and sides of pan with rubber spatula after 1 minute of beating. Smooth batter evenly in pan; sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups brown sugar. Slowly pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over all. Bake at 375 degrees about 40 minutes or until done. Serve warm with ice cream piled in center. Makes 9 servings.