Chocolate Date Dessert Cake

1 60 gm chopped pitted dates
250 gm butter chopped
430 ml Water
220 gm sugar
35 gm cocoa
250 gm plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Grease 19cm x 29cm rectangular slice pan, cover base with baking paper.
Combine dates, butter, sugar and cocoa in medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring then simmer, uncovered 5 minutes, cover cool to room temperature.
Stir flour and soda into mixture into prepared pan.
Bake in moderate oven (180ºC-190ºC) about 40 minutes. Stand 5 minutes before turning onto wire rack to cool.