Dear Abby's Date Cake

This is a real winner, it tastes like chocolate cake!

2 cups chopped pitted dates
2 ts baking soda
2 cups boiling water
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp butter
2 eggs, beaten
2-1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, if desired
2 ts vanilla

Heat oven to 350ºF.
Grease and flour 9 x 13 inch cake pan. In medium bowl, spoon baking soda over dates, then pour the boiling water over and set aside to cool.
In large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add beaten eggs, mix well. Add date mixture, flour, vanilla and walnuts. Mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake at 350ºF approximately 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Use your favorite chocolate frosting if an icing is desired, but it can be served with no icing. Serves: 16

P.S. For those of you who are allergic to chocolate, this is a prize!

Source: Dear Abby's favorite recipes, by Abigail Van Buren - 1987, 1988.