1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pitted dates, finely chopped
1/2 cup boiling water
4 tablespoons rum
1/4 cup Crisco
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs, well beaten
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped

Soak dates in boiling water and rum 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Sift together the first four ingredients. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, Crisco and sugar. Add eggs, beating well after each addition. Stir in dates mixture alternating with sifted dry ingredients. Stir in macadamia nuts, saving 1/2 cup for sprinkling the top.

Turn out into well greased and floured 13x9x2 inch pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Cut into rectangles while still warm.

Makes 12.

Submitted by: CM