ICELANDIC CHRISTMAS CAKE

1/2C + 3 T. lightly salted butter at room temperature
1c. sugar
5 large eggs
1 2/3c flour
a/2t. baking powder
1/2c. chopped dates
1/2c. dark seedless raisins
2/3c. semisweet chocolate chips

Grease a 9 inch tube pan.  Heat oven to 375.  In a large mixing bowl
beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add eggs 1 at a time,
beating well after each addition.  Mix flour and baking powder and stir
into butter mixture, stir in the dates, raisins, and chocolate chips.
Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.  Bake about 45 minutes until a cake 
tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove pan from oven and 
place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.  Turn cake onto rack and
let cool completely.  Keep 1 day before cutting.   Makes 10 or more servings.