My Hubby's Chocolate Chip Camping Cake

This is the cake my husband's mother would make for him every July on their family camping trips which was also his birthday. He and his siblings LOVED it. It has a secret ingredient..dates! Makes it moist and toffee-like and you have NO idea they are in there. There are similar recipes on here, but none just like this showstopper. I recently got the recipe from my sister in law Deb and she said "I know for a fact none of the other sibs knew there were consuming dates-sweet irony." I told my hubby, "your favorite childhood cake has dates in it." He said "No way, there is no dates in it." Too funny. Made for a recent family dinner...my son scarfed down 3 pieces and of course, neither child tasted the dates..the next generation is hooked! Great with vanilla ice cream.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 pan

Ingredients

• 1  cup dates, chewy dried ones pitted and chopped
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup hot water, plus
• 3  tablespoons hot water
• 1  cup white sugar
• 1  cup butter
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups flour
• 2  eggs
• 1  tablespoon  cocoa
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts
• 1  cup chocolate chips, plus more
•  chocolate chips, to toss over top of cake before baking

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Pour hot water over dates and soda.
3. Cream butter and sugar.
4. Add dates, eggs, flour, salt, cocoa, and vanilla.
5. Beat well.
6. Add 1 cup chocolate chips and nuts.
7. Pour into greased 9x13 pan.
8. Sprinkle more chocolate chips on top.
9. Bake 25-35 minutes, uncovered.