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.