Queen Elizabeth Cake

1 cup boiling water
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
¼ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts (I put ¾ cup)
1 cup flaked coconut
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
¼ cup cream

Pour boiling water over dates in a small bowl, and let
stand until cool.
Measure flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and nuts
into a small bowl.
Stir to mix.

Cream 1/4 cup butter or margarine and white sugar
together in a mixing bowl;
beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture to 
creamed mixture in three
parts alternately with date mixture in two parts,
beginning and ending with dry mixture.
Spread batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

Bake at 350F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until an 
inserted wooden pick comes out clean.

To Make Topping:
Mix coconut, brown sugar, 6 tablespoons butter and
cream in a small
saucepan over medium heat. Boil for three minutes.

Take a toothpick or a knitting needle, and make 
little holes all
over the cake, pushing down all the way,
without damaging the cake.
Spread the topping over the warm cake, and
brown under broiler.