1 1/2 c  Dates; diced
2    Eggs, beaten
1/2 ts Salt
1 ts Baking soda
1 c  Water; hot
3 ts Water; hot
2 c  Flour
1 ts Cocoa
1 ts Vanilla
1 c  Sugar
1 c  Butter or margarine
1 c  Chocolate chips; 6 oz
1/2 c  Nuts; chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place dates in small
bowl. Sprinkle with baking soda; add hot water. Let
stand 5 to 10 minutes to plump dates. In large mixing
bowl, cream sugar and butter or margarine together.
Add eggs. Beat well again. Sift flour, salt and cocoa
together. Add dry ingredients to sugar-butter mixture
in small amounts, alternating with date mixture. Add
vanilla and mix well. Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate
chips. Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 x 2″
baking pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and
chopped nuts over top. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until
toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.