Christmas Date Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Pour boiling water over the dates, add the soda (it foams up a bit) and set them aside to cool.
2. 2
   While they're cooling, mix together in a large mixing bowl the butter, 2 cups sugar, the eggs, salt and flour.
3. 3
   One this is thoroughly mixed, add the cooled date mixture to the bowl and stir thoroughly.
4. 4
   Butter and flour a 9x13 inch cake pan (the cake rises about 1 1/2 inches, so make sure the sides are tall enough). Pour the batter in the pan.
5. 5
   Sprinkle the following on top, in this order, before baking: the chocolate chips, 1 cup sugar, nuts.
6. 6
   Bake at 325 degrees for 80 minutes. A cake tester or long toothpick should come out clean one inch from the center when the cake is done.
7. 7
   Let the cake cool in a pan on a wire rack. It can be served slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled.