Chocolate Chip Date Cake: Many thanks to Sonia Sasson for letting me copy recipes from her book of bundt cakes. A veritable gold mine! 1 cup finely cut dates 1 cup boiling water 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 2 cups sifted flour 2 Tbs cocoa 1/2 tsp salt 1 6-oz pkg chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts Pour boiling water over dates. Let cool. Add soda. In large bowl, cream shortening (I use butter), add sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add cooled date mixture. Sift together flour, cocoa and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix together. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Bake in a greased & floured 10 or 12 cup bundt pan at 350 for 45 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool in pan 10 to 15 minutes; turn out on wire rack to complete cooling. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar if desired.