Amish Date Pudding

Bottom Layer:
1 tsp. soda 
1 egg
1 cup chopped dates 
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup boiling water 
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar 
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 Tbl. butter


Topping:
1 cup sugar 
3/4 cup water
1 cup chopped dates 
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Cool Whip

To prepare the bottom layer, sprinkle soda over chopped dates; then pour boiling water over the dates and let stand until cool. Cream sugar, butter and egg, and beat well. Add flour, baking powder and chopped nuts to creamed mixture and mix well. Add this to the date mixture and mix well. Bake in a greased 9 X 9 pan for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.