Pour the water over the dates and soda. Let sit while mixing the other ingredients then add the date mixture. Pour into prepared 8 " pan and bake in 350 oven 35 min. ICING: 5 tblsp. brown sugar, 5 tblsp. cream, 2 tblsp. butter. Put in saucepan and bring to boil and boil 3 min, remove from heat and cool. I thicken this with icing sugar to spread.