Picnic Cake

From the Kitchen of: Kathy Lowe

INGREDIENTS
1 cup dates
1 ½ cups water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
¾ cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1tsp baking powder
1 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
¾ cup brown sugar
2/3 package of chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts

INSTRUCTIONS
In a small pan boil dates in 1 ½ cups water then add baking soda and set aside. In a large bowl mix sugar, shortening, eggs, and vanilla together. In a separate bowl sift together baking powder, flour and cinnamon. Mix with sugar mixture and then add the date mix. Pour in a 9 x 13 cake pan. Top with brown sugar, chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.