Carol’s Picnic Cake - Mark Seng

1 cup coarsely cut dates                    
1½ cups boiling water                        
1 tsp baking soda                                               
1 cup sugar                                          
¾ cup shortening                                
2 eggs                                                    
1 tsp vanilla
1¾ cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts
6oz pkg chocolate chips

Combine dates, water, and soda.  Let cool.  When cooled add sugar, shortening, eggs, vanilla, flour, cinnamon, and salt.  Pour into greased 9x13 pan.  Mix together brown sugar and nuts.  Sprinkle over top of cake.  Top with chocolate chips.  Bake at 350º for 45 minutes.