Pour boiling water over dates, let cool. Sift together flour, cocoa, soda and salt. Cream shortening 9half butter) and add sugar. Cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add the flour alternately with the date mixture, blend. Pour batter into a 15x 10x 2 pan which has been greased and floured. Sprinkle on chocolate chips and nuts and press lightly into batter. Bake at 350ºF. for 25 - 30 minutes. Makes 3 dozen bars

Submitted by Jamie, NYC