2 pounds dates
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups boiling water
¼ pound (1 stick) butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup nut meats chopped small (walnuts are best)
Cut dates in tiny pieces (use scissors). Sprinkle date pieces with baking soda and cover with boiling water; let cool. Cream butter and brown sugar, then add eggs and salt. Combine with date mixture. Add flour, vanilla, baking powder and nuts. Mix very well. Generously grease five 10.5- or 11-ounce soup cans with lid removed. Fill each can Two-thirds full and stand on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool thoroughly and edge with knife before slipping out of cans. Wrap well with foil; can be frozen. Makes 5 loaves, 6 servings each.
Per serving: 220 calories (26 percent from fat), 6.3 g fat (2.3 g saturated, 1.4 g monounsaturated), 22.4 mg cholesterol, 3.4 g protein, 40.3 g carbohydrates, 2.9 g fiber, 175 mg sodium.
© 2002, The Miami Herald.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
