Date Cake

¼ cup cocoa 1½ cups flour 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup shortening 2 whole eggs ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 pinch salt 1¼ cups boiling water 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup dates ¼ cup granulated sugar 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

Add flour, cocoa, and salt.

In separate bowl, combine boiling water, soda, and dates and let sit for a few minutes.

Beat dates mixture into other ingredients.

Pour into 9 by 12 inch pan.

Top with chocolate chips.

Sprinkle ¼ cup sugar over cake.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Will look moist. Don’t overbake.