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.