1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup boiling water
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup shortening, butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups flour
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 6-oz. pkg. chocolate bits
1 cup chopped nuts (opt.)

Add baking soda in boiling water and let it disperse. Now add the soda mixed water to dates and let it cool. Mix cream and sugar and beat well. Add eggs to the mixture and beat till it turns flossy for the shortening. Flour, cocoa powder and salt can sieved and kept aside in the meantime. Add the sifted flour and the date mixture one by one alternatively till it forms a good batter. Add vanilla essence, chocolate bits and also chopped nuts and mix it lightly. A 9 x 13 inch pan can be made ready by smearing oil and then dabbed with flour. Pre heat the oven and bake the cake at 350 degrees for at least half an hour. Once the cake is ready serve it with Coffee Pecan Sauce.

Some Facts Dates is believed to be consumed since ages and is one of the ancient crop used as food. It is mentioned in the Old Testament of The Bible around 60 times.

Coffee Pecan Sauce:

2 eggs
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup half and half or light cream
2 tsp. instant coffee
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Mix the egg yolk and the whites in a heavy bottom pan and beat till it turns flossy, Add powdered sugar and beat till it is dissolved. Add whipped cream slowly half and half. Cook over low fire till the concoction thickens. Now add coffee and vanilla. Keep stirring till the coffee mixes well. Add the chopped pecans and pour it over the cake when warm.

Serves – 12 people.

Useful Tips for Baking a Cake:
Most of the recipes refer scalded milk or cream. To scald milk heat it in a low flame lower than the boiling point. While heating milk a thin layer of cream is formed on the top. This shows the heat necessary to heat milk.

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”
Harriet Van Horne