Chocolate Date Picnic Cake

• 1/2 cup dates chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup water boiling
• 1 cup flour, all-purpose
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 each eggs
• 1/2 cup chocolate (semi-sweet) semi-sweet chips
• 1/2 cup chocolate (semi-sweet) semi-sweet chips
• 1/4 cup nuts chopped
• 2 tablespoons sugar

1. Heat oven to 350F (180C).
2. Grease and flour bottom only of 8 inch square pan.
3. In large bowl, combine dates, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and water; stir.
4. Cool 5 mintues.
5. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
6. Add flour and remaining cake ingredients except chips; blend at low speed until well combined.
7. Beat 2 mintues at medium speed.
8. Stir in 1/2 cup chips.
9. Pour batter into greased and floured pan.
10. Sprinkle topping ingredients evenly over batter.
11. Bake at 350F (180C) for 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
12. Serve warm or cool; top with whipped cream, if desired.

dates, baking soda, water boiling, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, butter, vanilla, eggs, chocolate, chocolate, nuts, sugar

Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/chocolate-date-picnic-cake-36924 (may not work)