Categories: Fruits, Chocolate, Cakes/choc. 
      Yield: 16 servings 
  
      8 oz Dates; pitted, chopped              1 ts Baking soda 
      1 c  ;boiling water                  1 3/4 c  Flour; unbleached, sifted 
      2 tb Cocoa; baking                     1/2 ts Salt 
      1 c  Shortening; vegetable               1 c  Sugar 
      2 ea Eggs; large                         6 oz Semisweet chocolate chips 
    1/2 c  Walnuts; chopped                
  
  Combine dates, baking soda, and boiling water in a small bowl.  Cool to 
  room terperature.  Sift together the flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside. 
  Cream the shortening and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light and 
  fluffy, using an electric mixer at medium speed.  Add eggs, one at a time, 
  beating well after each addition.  Blend in date mixture. Then stir in dry 
  ingredients.  Pour into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake in 
  preheated 350 degree F. oven for 35 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool 
  in pan on rack.  Cut into squares and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice 
  cream on top.