1 1/2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
2 1/4 cups boiling water
3 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons margarine
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Procedures
Combine baking soda with the boiling water. Soak the dates in the water and baking soda solution for 30 minutes.
Cream sugar and butter together. Add eggs, vanilla, dates, nuts, flour, and salt.
Divide batter equally between two 9 x 5 (or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2) inch greased loaf pans. Bake 1 hour at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) (or until loaf tests done). Can be frozen when cool.
