Mix-In-The-Pan Chocolate-Date Cake
["1 cup hot water", "2/3 cup chopped dates", "1 2/3 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour", "1 cup packed brown sugar", "1/4 cup cocoa", "1 tsp. baking soda", "1/4 tsp. salt", "1/4 cup vegetable oil", "1 tsp. cider vinegar", "1/2 tsp. vanilla"]
["Heat oven to 350 degrees.", "Prepare Chocolate Chip Topping (below); reserve.", "Pour hot water over dates in small bowl.", "Let stand 5 minutes.", "Drain dates, reserving water.", "Mix flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 inches.", "Stir in dates.", "Add enough water to date water to measure 1 cup.", "Stir water mixture and remaining ingredients into flour mixture.", "Sprinkle with topping.", "Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean."]
["water", "dates", "Gold Medal all-purpose", "brown sugar", "cocoa", "baking soda", "salt", "vegetable oil", "cider vinegar", "vanilla"]