Date Nut Bread

This is better the next day and even better the next week.

Ingredients

• Water
• Shortening
• Flour
• 4 cups dates, cut-up
• 2 cups nuts, chopped
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 4 cups sifted cake flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2/3 cup hot water

Instructions

1. Boil water in a kettle. Set oven at 350 degrees F. Grease 4 small (5 x 3-inch) loaf pans and flour lightly and evenly.
2. Cut dates in half.
3. Break nuts, but not too small.
4. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the date and nut pieces and let stand while mixing the batter.
5. Cream the shortening in a bowl, adding brown sugar gradually.
6. Sift flour and salt together twice.
7. Break eggs, one at a time, into the shortening mixture.
8. Add baking soda to dates and nuts.
9. Stir flour and fruit mixture alternately into creamed batter. Stir gently; mix quickly.
10. Stir in another 2/3 cup water and fold in.
11. Pour into pans and bake for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick tested in the center comes out clean and dry.
12. Turn out of pans to cool.