West haven chocolate cake

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.01
  
       Title: West Haven Chocolate Cake
  Categories: Fruits, Chocolate, Cakes/choc.
       Yield: 16 servings
  
       8 oz Dates; pitted, chopped              1 ts Baking soda
       1 c  ;boiling water                  1 3/4 c  Flour; unbleached, sifted
       2 tb Cocoa; baking                     1/2 ts Salt
       1 c  Shortening; vegetable               1 c  Sugar
       2 ea Eggs; large                         6 oz Semisweet chocolate chips
     1/2 c  Walnuts; chopped               
  
   Combine dates, baking soda, and boiling water in a small bowl.  Cool to
   room terperature.  Sift together the flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside.
   Cream the shortening and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light and
   fluffy, using an electric mixer at medium speed.  Add eggs, one at a time,
   beating well after each addition.  Blend in date mixture. Then stir in dry
   ingredients.  Pour into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake in
   preheated 350 degree F. oven for 35 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool
   in pan on rack.  Cut into squares and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice
   cream on top.
  
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