Spiced Chocolate cake

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

1 cup mashed potatoes

4 eggs

2 1-ounce squares chocolate

2 cups sifted cake flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4cup chopped nuts

1 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup sour cream

cream butter and sugar together until light. Add mashed potatoes, beating well. beat eggs until light. Add to creamed mixture gradually. Melt chocolate and stir into creamed mixture. Sift dry ingredients together. Mix the nuts and dates with a little of the flour. Add flour alternately with sour cream to creamed mixture, mixing well. Add nuts and dates. Pour into a rectangular baking pan, and bake in a slow oven 300*f about 1 ¼ hours. Cool and frost with cream-cheese frosting.