1 c -Boiling water
1 c Dates;chopped
1 ts Baking soda
1/2 c Butter
1 c Sugar,granulated
1 Egg
1 ts Vanilla
1 1/2 c Flour,all purpose
1 ts Baking powder
1/2 ts -Salt
——————————BROILED TOPPING—————————— 1/4 c Butter
1/2 c Brown sugar;packed
1/4 c Light cream
3/4 c Coconut;shredded;half nuts
-if desired Pour water over dates and soda; let stand until lukewarm. In bowl, cream butter with sugar; beat in egg and vanilla. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with date mixture. Spread in a greased and floured 9 inch square cake pan. Bake in 350F oven for 40 minutes or until tester comes out clean. BROILED TOPPING: In a small heavy saucepan, combine butter, packed brown sugar, light cream and coconut (half nuts if desired). Bring to a boil, stirring; boil gently for 1 minute. Spread over warm baked cake; broil until bubbly and lightly browned, watching carefully.