From the Kitchen of: Nina Johnson
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
Place dates in bowl, sprinkle baking soda over top, then add boiling water – set aside and allow to cool.
Cream together:
1 cup shortening (½ butter) OR just ½ cup butter (using applesauce for rest of “shortening” – see below)
1 cup sugar
To creamed mixture add:
½ cup unsweetened applesauce (if doing the lower fat version)
2 eggs
1¾ cups flour
1 Tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix well.
To the above, add date mixture and ½ cup chocolate chips.
Pour into 9x13 pan (greased & “floured” with cocoa powder)
Sprinkle ½ cup chocolate chips and ½ cup chopped nut meats over top.
Bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees.