Chocolate Chip Date Cake

1 cup plus 2 T boiling water

1 cup dates (chopped)

1 tsp soda

2 cups flour

1 T cocoa

½ tsp salt

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup chocolate chips

½ cup nuts (chopped)

Add boiling water to dates and soda, and set aside to cool. Sift flour, cocoa and salt together. Cream butter with sugar and vanilla. Add eggs and beat until fluffy. Add dry ingredients and date mixture alternately to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Add ½ cup chocolate chips. Pour into greased 13 x 9 pan. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup chocolate chips and chopped nuts on top of the batter. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes. This cake requires no frosting.