Chocolate Chip Date Cake

This cake's unusual combination of flavours -

chocolate, date and orange,

are a treat to the taste buds and make a great addition to a packed lunch.

Or you can serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a satisfying dessert.

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 3/4 cups flour ( you can substitute 1/2 the flour with whole wheat flour if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Grease the bottom only of a 9x9 square pan or line it with parchment paper.
3. Stir together chopped dates and baking soda in a mixing bowl and add boiling water.
4. Stir and set aside to cool until lukewarm.
5. Meanwhile in a large mixing bowl, beat butter together with sugar until light.
6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between additions.
7. Add cocoa, orange rind and vanilla.
8. With a spoon or spatula, stir in date mixture, salt and flour, mixing until well blended.
9. Fold in 1/2 of the chocolate chips.
10. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
11. Sprinkle top with remaining chocolate chips and all of the nuts.
12. Bake At 350º for 30 minutes or until cake tester or toothpick comes out clean.
13. Serve warm or cold, with or without whipped cream.

This cake is very good cold so I store it in the refrigerator. It also freezes well.