Date Chocolate Chip Cake
["1 c. pitted and chopped dates", "1 1/2 c. boiling water", "1 3/4 tsp. baking soda divided", "1/2 c. Crisco", "1 c. sugar", "2 eggs", "1 tsp. vanilla", "1 1/4 c. plus 3 Tbsp. flour", "1/4 tsp. salt"]
["Mix together dates, boiling water, and 1 tsp. baking soda. Let cool.", "Add Crisco, eggs and vanilla to cooled date mixture. Stir in remaining dry ingredients.", "Pour into greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan. Cover with topping.", "Bake at 350\u00b0 for 45 minutes. Top each piece with Cool Whip before serving."]
["dates", "boiling water", "baking soda", "Crisco", "sugar", "eggs", "vanilla", "flour", "salt"]