Oatmeal Cake with Dates, Raisins or Cranberries

For breakfast, brunch or as a dessert square at lunch.

• 1-1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup finely chopped dates (or substitute raisins or dried cranberries)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt

1. Cream brown sugar and butter. Mix in beaten eggs.
2. Stir baking soda into the boiling water till dissolved.
3. Pour rolled oats on top of the sugar/butter/egg mixture, then pour boiling water mixture on top.
4. Stir, then mix in chopped dates and nuts.
5. In a separate bowl, sift baking powder, cinnamon, flour and salt. Stir.
6. Gradually add flour mixture to oat mixture, stirring after each addition.
7. Bake in greased shallow pan 35-40 minutes.