Ingredients:

3 cups sifted flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup nuts, chopped
1 cup sour milk or buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in milk

 Directions:

Combine dry ingredients, except baking soda
Cut shortening through dry mixture to the consistency of course corn meal. Remove ¾ cup of mixture for topping. Add dates and nuts, then sour milk (with baking soda). This is a thick mixture. Spread in greased pan 8" x 11" or a little less, taking care that pan isn't too large for amount of topping. Spread topping and bake 40 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees, This cake is good either hot or cold.