CHOCOLATE REFRESHERS

Friend Kay made this delicious cake with this equally interesting name for us when we gathered at her house for an afternoon of canasta. I didn't ask her what the name meant or where she got the recipe. The name Chocolate Refreshers may have been chosen because the chocolate cake is surprisingly "refreshing".

CHOCOLATE REFRESHERS

1-1/4       cups sifted flour
3/4         teaspoon baking soda
1/2          teaspoon salt
1/2          cup butter (1 stick)
1-1/4       cup diced dates
3/4         cup packed brown sugar
1/2          cup water
1              cup chocolate chips
2             eggs
1/2          cup orange juice
1/2          cup milk
1              cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15 x 10 x 1 - inch jelly roll pan.

Sift flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

Combine dates, brown sugar, water, and butter in large saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until dates soften. Remove from heat.

Stir in chocolate chips. (Cool)

Beat in eggs.

Add dry ingredients alternately with orange juice and milk. Blend thoroughly after each addition.

Stir in walnuts.

Spread batter in prepared jelly roll pan.

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes.

Cool.

Spread with glaze.

ORANGE GLAZE

1-1/2     cups sifted powdered sugar
2           tablespoons soft butter
1-2        teaspoons grated orange rind
2-3       teaspoons cream

Combine sugar, butter, and orange rind. Blend in cream until of spreading consistency.

NOTE: Kay actually cut the recipe in half and made it in a smaller 9 x 11 - inch baking pan. She said when she makes the full recipe, she uses a 9 x 13 - inch pan instead of a jelly-roll pan. The recipe was one of her mother's.