Chocolate Chip Date Cake (The Trellis)

This is an old recipe from The Trellis restaurant, a Williamsburg staple on DOG Street for many years that was a favorite of ours when we were at William & Mary. This cake is delicious—very sweet and rich!

1 8-oz pkg. chopped dates

1 3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 stick butter

1 3/4 C. flour

4 Tbsp. cocoa

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 C. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 C. chocolate chips

1 C. walnuts, chopped

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare 9x13 pan with butter and flour, then set aside.

2) Soak dates in 1 1/2 C. boiling water and 1 tsp. baking soda.

3) Combine flour, cocoa, 3/4 tsp. baking soda, salt. Sift.

4) Mix 1 C. sugar with butter. Beat until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time. Scrape sides of bowl. Beat until creamy.

5) Add vanilla, then flour mixture and date mixture alternately. Mix well.

6) Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly, especially into corners.

7) Sprinkle 1/2 C. sugar over top. Bake 20 minutes.

8) Remove from oven. Top with chips and nuts, then bake additional 20-25 minutes.

9) Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Serve.