1 cup sliced pitted dates
3/4 cup boiling water
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits (6 oz. pkg.)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup milk
2 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
18 walnut halves

Combine sliced dates and boiling water; set aside. Grease and flour 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.

In double boiler over hot, not boiling, water melt chocolate with butter; add sugar and mix well. Let mixture cool slightly, then stir in beaten eggs and vanilla extract.

With wooden spoon, stir melted chocolate mixture into date mixture, along with milk; stir until well mixed. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into date mixture, then stir until all flour is just moistened. Fold in chopped walnuts.

Turn mixture into loaf pan; garnish with walnut halves. Let loaf stand at room temperature 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake loaf for 65 to 75 minutes. Cool 5 to 10 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack to finish cooling.