Brown Date Bread

# 2 1/2 cans work well as molds for round loaves of date bread.

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped dates
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Place dates and soda in bowl; pour water over and let cool. Mix sugar, shortening, eggs, salt and vanilla; stir in flour. Add date mixture and mix well. Add nuts, if desired, and mix.
2. Grease and flour pans. Pour pans only 1/2 full of the batter.
3. Bake in pre-heated oven at 350°F. for 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.