Queen Elizabeth Cake

I think dates look like junebugs. This is Queen Elizabeth Cake. I got the recipe from Adam's grandmother. It is a yummy, moist cake with a heavenly topping. For those who may be interested, the recipe follows.
Queen Elizabeth Cake
1 cup dates, 1 cup boiling water - Boil together on stove while preparing cake batter.
Cream 1/4 cup butter and 1 c sugar. Add 1 slightly beaten egg and 1 tsp vanilla. Add sifted dry ingredients (1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt). Add date mixture to which 1 tsp baking soda has been added. Mix.
Bake in greased 9x9 pan at 350 for 1/2 hour.
Topping: Combine in saucepan: 1/2 cup brown sugar, 5 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup coconut, and 3 tbsp cream. Boil for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Spread over warm cake, and place under boiler until brown.