1 1/4 c. chopped dates
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda

Let stand until cool. 2 tbsp. cocoa 1/2 tsp. salt 1 stick butter, at room temperature 1/2 c. shortening 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter, shortening, and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients and date mixture alternately. Spread batter evenly in a greased and floured jelly roll pan. Sprinkle 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans and 3/4 cup chocolate chips over the top. bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool.