Aunt Esther'S Date Cake
["1 1/2 c. boiling water", "1 1/2 c. chopped, pitted dates", "1 tsp. baking soda", "1/4 c. shortening", "1 egg", "1/2 tsp. salt", "1 tsp. vanilla", "1 c. sugar", "1 1/2 or 1 3/4 c. flour", "1 tsp. baking powder"]
["Pour boiling water over dates, soda and shortening; set aside."]
["boiling water", "dates", "baking soda", "shortening", "egg", "salt", "vanilla", "sugar", "flour", "baking powder"]