Self-Frosted Date Cake
["1 1/2 c. dates, chopped", "3/4 tsp. baking soda", "2 1/4 c. boiling water", "1 7/8 c. sugar", "3/4 c. shortening", "3 eggs", "3 c. flour", "1 1/8 tsp. soda", "1 1/8 tsp. salt"]
["Mix first 3 ingredients and cool.", "Cream together sugar and shortening.", "Add eggs, flour, soda and salt.", "Pour all ingredients into large greased and floured cake pan."]
["dates", "baking soda", "boiling water", "sugar", "shortening", "eggs", "flour", "soda", "salt"]