Missionary Picnic Cake

(In Scotland this is Queen Elizabeth Cake)

Mix and let sit:
1 ¼ cups dates – chopped
1 ½ cups boiling water
1 tsp. soda

Cream in Mixer:
1 cup sugar
¾ cup butter
2 eggs – beaten
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. salt

Add:
2 cups flour
dates and water mixture

Beat until well mixed. Pour into a greased 9 X 13 pan. Top with topping (see below).

Topping:
Sprinkle with ½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
½ package chocolate chips

Bake @ 350 for 35 – 40 minutes (30 min. for cookie sheet)

Double the batch to make the large cookie sheet pan plus an 8 X 8 pan.