Chocolate Date Cake

CLASS OF 1947

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• 1-3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 6 squares semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (1 cup)

Combine dates and soda. Stir in hot water. Cream butter thoroughly with sugar; add date mixture. Stir in flour, eggs, vanilla and 1/2 cup of the chocolate. Mix well. Pour into greased 9-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle top of batter with remaining chocolate.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or till cake tests done with cake tester. Cool in pan 10 minutes; cut cake into squares or bars. Serve warm or cooled; top with prepared whipped topping or whipped cream, if desired.

Yield: 9-12 servings