West Haven Chocolate Cake

Servings: 16
Ingredients:

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 lg Eggs
6 oz Semi-Sweet 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?ven 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.