Self-Iced Cake
["1 c. dates or raisins, chopped", "1 c. boiling water", "1 tsp. soda", "1/2 c. shortening", "1 c. sugar", "2 eggs", "2 tsp. cocoa", "1 tsp. vanilla", "1 3/4 c. flour", "1/2 tsp. salt", "1/2 tsp. cream of tartar", "9 oz. pkg. chocolate chips", "3/4 c. walnuts or pecans, chopped"]
["Combine dates, water and soda; let stand until cool.", "Cream shortening and sugar.", "Add eggs and beat well.", "Slowly add flour, salt and cream of tartar.", "Stir until well blended.", "Add date mixture; mix well.", "Pour into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over top of cake.", "Bake at 350\u00b0 for about 30 minutes.", "Cool."]
["dates", "boiling water", "soda", "shortening", "sugar", "eggs", "cocoa", "vanilla", "flour", "salt", "cream of tartar", "chocolate chips", "walnuts"]