I have used this recipe for years, and everyone is surprised that it contains dates. It's easy to make.

1 cup dates
1 cup boiling water
13/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 F Combine dates and boiling water and let cool. Combine the flour, cocoa, soda and salt and set aside.

Cream until fluffy the sugars and the shortening. Then blend in the eggs and vanilla and add the flour mixture and date mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes. Cool before cutting. Sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (can be omitted) and 1 cup chocolate chips.