Chocolate chip date cake

Chocolate chip date cake
(From the kitchen of Tanya Chen)

1 cup of chopped dates
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
Mix together and allow to cool

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together in a large mixing bowl the following ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp of cocoa powder
1/2 tsp of salt
1 cup of vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp of vanilla flavoring

Beat until smooth then gradually add 1 3/4 cup of flour and the date mixture from above and beat for another 30 seconds. Pour into 9 x 13 baking dish or into muffin cups.  Before baking sprinkle 1/2 cup of sugar over the top of the batter then do the same with 1/2 c of chopped nuts and 1 cup of chocolate chips.  Bake large cake for 35 to 40 minutes.  Bake cupcakes for 26 minutes.

Cake can be served warm or cold.