Mom's Date Nut bread

It doesn’t feel like the holidays until the house smells like this recipe baking.
I like to under-bake it just a little (or let it soak in humidity for a day or two) so the center gets a bit candy-like.

It’s the best!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pitted, chopped dates

  • 2 cups boiling water

  • 2 tsp baking soda

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 1 stick butter

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 Tbsp vanilla

  • 3 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour (whole wheat or a mix of white and whole wheat works well)

  • 2 cups chopped nuts

Directions

  • Pour the boiling water over the dates and baking soda and allow to cool.

  • Cream together butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla.

  • Blend the date mixture into the butter-sugar mixture, then add in nuts.

  • Fold in flour. Don’t overmix! But whole wheat flour makes this less of a risk.

  • Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.