Date-Nut Loaf

By Arnette

A favorite for the Presbyterian Women'sChristmas Tea. Freezes well, is dense and moist.

Like a fruitcake, this loaf is rich tasting, satisfying, and loaded with fruit. Spread with cream cheese.

Ingredients

• Makes 1 large loaf or 2 small.
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. EACH baking powder and baking soda
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 8 oz. pitted chopped dates
• 1/2 cup EACH golden raisins and chopped walnuts
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, cinnamon, dates, raisins, and waltnuts until throughly blended.

In another bowl, stir together butter, vanilla, and hot water until butter is melted; then stir iin egg. Pour butter mixture into dry ingredients and stir just until well blended. Pour batter into a greased 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch loaf pan.

Bake in a 325° oven until bread begins to pull away from sides of pan and a wooden pick inserted inceanter comes out clean-about 1 hour and 25 minutes. 45 minutes in small pans.

Let cool in pan on a rack for 10 minutes; then turn out onto rack and let cool.