Date Cake
["1/2 pkg. dates", "2 tsp. baking soda", "2 c. hot water", "1 c. butter or margarine", "2 c. sugar", "2 eggs, beaten", "1 tsp. vanilla", "2 c. flour", "pinch of salt", "1/2 to 1 c. chopped walnuts"]
["Finely chop the dates.", "Put baking soda over dates and hot water.", "When cool, add to following mixture:", "Cream the butter; add sugar, eggs and vanilla.", "Combine salt and flour.", "Alternate flour mixture with dates and water, then add walnuts.", "Pour into a greased 9 x 12 pan and bake at 350\u00b0 for 50 to 60 minutes."]
["dates", "baking soda", "water", "butter", "sugar", "eggs", "vanilla", "flour", "salt", "walnuts"]