CAKE:

2 tsp. baking soda
1 box dates
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 c. flour
Pinch salt
1 c. chopped nuts

SAUCE:

1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. white syrup

Mix 2 teaspoon baking soda with 2 cups boiling water. Pour over dates. Let cool thoroughly. Cream together 2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, 2 eggs, 2 cups flour, Pinch salt, the date mixture and 1 cup chopped nuts. Bake in 13 x 9 inch pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (glass pan).

Combine all sauce ingredients in saucepan. Cook 15 minutes over medium heat. To serve spoon sauce over individual slices of cake as sliced.

My grandmother was from Cox Green, County Durham, England. She prepared this every year for Christmas Dinner dessert. Now that she's gone, my mother prepares it every year.