Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        belle bestor dfpf73a
   1      cup           pitted dates -- coarsely chop
   1 1/2  teaspoons     baking soda
   3      tablespoons   butter
     3/4  cup           boiling water
   2                    eggs
   1      cup           sugar
   1 1/2  cups          flour
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      vanilla
   1      cup           walnuts -- coarsely chopped

Preparation:

Lightly mix the dates and baking soda, and add the butter. Mix in the water, and let stand for 20 minutes. 325 F oven. Butter 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3" loaf pan. Beat eggs lightly with a fork, and add the sugar, flour, salt and vanilla, and mix well. Add the walnuts and then the date mixture and stir until just blended. Pour into the pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes; the bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. Let cool and spread thin slices with cream cheese. THIS IS THE BEST TASTING OF ALL DATE-NUT BREADS.