Picnic Treat

We always called it camping cake and for as long as I can remember, it was a part of Sunday fishing trips.

Not sure whose recipe it was, but this date rich cake, topped with walnuts and chocolate chips, is the perfect sheet cake for summer outings.

The start of summer seemed like a good time to pull out the recipe along with the green cookie bowl … nostalgia for Schommer kids. In case you’re one of the unlucky few who don’t have the recipe, it’s included at the end of the post.

The recipe uses dates to sweeten the cake. This also means the cake stays moist for much longer. When you include the ‘frosting,’ nuts and chocolate chips. this is really the perfect summer picnic treat.

Print Recipe

Camping Cake

Sheet cake that is perfect for picnic baskets

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 ¾ cup flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts coarsely chopped

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9 x 13 cake pan.
• Mix together dates, boiling water and soda, set aside.
• Cream shortening with sugar and then add eggs.
• Sift together flour and cocoa, blend all ingredients together and spread evenly in cake pan.
• Top with walnuts and chocolate chips.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow to cool, then cut into 2 inch squares. Cake keeps well in closed container for 4 or 5 days, but also freezes well.