This date cake recipe is from my Mom. She used to make it to take to the beach for a picnic. It tastes great warm or cooled. It crumbles easily so to transport it, keep it in the pan until you serve it. If you have it at home, I like to top it with whipped cream or drizzle a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar and a little milk over the top.

Combine and cool: 1 c date, 1 tsp soda, 1 1/2 c boiling water

Cream together: 1 c sugar and 3/4 c shortening
Mix the date mixture into the sugar and shortening.
Add:
1 1/2 c flour + 2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Pour cake mixture into a 9 x 13 greased pan.
Sprinkle on top of the cake mix:
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped nuts

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes