Crosse & Blackwell Date Nut Bread

This is delicious sliced with cream cheese. It keeps very well at room temperature and freezes just as well.

About 1 pound pitted, chopped dates
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups hot tap water
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (or whatever other
    nuts you prefer)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease well 8 (15 ounce) cans with tops removed.

Mix dates, baking soda, butter and water together in a large bowl; let cool a bit. Add remaining ingredients.

Fill cans halfway. Place on a large baking sheet and bake for one hour; check with a wooden pick at 50 minutes because ovens vary so much. Leave in cans at least ten minutes before "shaking" out. Finish cooling on racks.