Blind Date Cake
["1 c. cut up dates", "1 1/2 c. hot water", "1 1/2 c. sugar", "2 c. flour", "1/2 tsp. soda", "1/2 c. sugar", "1 tsp. soda", "1/2 c. margarine", "2 eggs", "1 tsp. salt", "1 c. chocolate chips", "1/2 c. chopped nuts"]
["Combine dates, 1 teaspoon soda and hot water. Let stand until cool. Cream margarine and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Add eggs 1 at a time; beat well. Sift together flour, teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon soda. Beat in cooled date mixture. Turn into a well-greased, floured 9 x 13-inch pan. Mix together chocolate chips, remaining sugar and nuts. Sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350\u00b0 for 30 to 40 minutes or until done."]
["dates", "water", "sugar", "flour", "soda", "sugar", "soda", "margarine", "eggs", "salt", "chocolate chips", "nuts"]