Travelin' Chocolate Cake
["1 1/2 c. diced dates", "1 tsp. baking soda", "1 c. plus 3 Tbsp. hot water", "1 c. sugar", "1 c. butter or margarine (2 sticks)", "2 eggs, beaten", "1/2 tsp. salt", "2 c. flour", "1 Tbsp. cocoa", "1 tsp. vanilla", "1 c. chocolate chips", "1/2 c. chopped nuts"]
["Preheat oven", "to", "350\u00b0.", "Place\tdates in small bowl and sprinkle with baking", "soda\tand", "hot water.", "Let stand 5 to 10 minutes to plump dates.", "In large mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter", "(margarine)", "together.", "Add", "eggs and beat well again. Sift", "flour,", "salt and cocoa together.", "Add dry ingredients to sugar/butter", "mixture", "in small amounts, alternating with date mix.", "Add", "vanilla and mix well.", "Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips."]
["dates", "baking soda", "water", "sugar", "butter", "eggs", "salt", "flour", "cocoa", "vanilla", "chocolate chips", "nuts"]