Monadnoch Bars (Or, Nana'S Decadent Date Cake)

• 1 cup dates, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup shortening (I used 2 sticks of butter)
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chocolate bits
• 1 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)

1. Combine chopped dates and boiling water and let sit until the mixture is cool. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cream the sugar and shortening until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla to the creamed sugar and blend well. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
3. Pour the watery date mixture into the creamed sugar and mix well. Slowly add the mixed dry ingredients. Combine well.
4. Pour batter into a 15 x 10" greased baking pan (breaking the batter up between two differently-sized pans will also work, just monitor the cooking time for each). Sprinkle the chopped chocolate and nuts on top.
5. Bake in a 350u0b0 oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove and let sit before enjoying.

dates, boiling water, flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, brown sugar, shortening, eggs, vanilla, chocolate bits, nuts

Taken from food52.com/recipes/31329-monadnoch-bars-or-nana-s-decadent-date-cake (may not work)