Crosse & Blackwell Date Nut Bread

This is delicious sliced with cream cheese. It keeps very well at room temperature and freezes just as well.

Ingredients

• About 1 pound pitted, chopped dates
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups hot tap water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (or whatever other nuts you prefer)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease well 8 (15 ounce) cans with tops removed.
2. Mix dates, baking soda, butter and water together in a large bowl; let cool a bit. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Fill cans halfway. Place on a large baking sheet and bake for one hour; check with a wooden pick at 50 minutes because ovens vary so much.
4. Leave in cans for at least ten minutes before "shaking" out.
5. Finish cooling on racks.