1 c. dates, cut fine
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, scant
Pinch of salt
2 unbeaten eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. mapaline or vanilla
3/4 c. chopped nuts

Use 9 x 9 square pan. Pour boiling water over dates with 1 teaspoon baking soda; let cool.

Cream sugar, butter, and salt. Add eggs and beat well into mixture. Mix flour and alternate with first mixture of dates. Add mapaline or vanilla; add chopped nuts.

Bake at 350 degrees until done.

ORANGE FROSTING:

Juice of 1 orange
Rind of 1 orange (grated)
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp. butter
Vanilla
Powdered sugar

Combine ingredients adding a little vanilla and enough powdered sugar to thicken. Spread on cooled cake.