1 8 oz. pkg pitted dates
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup dark rum
6 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, lightly packed
1 egg, beaten
1 cup walnuts, chopped
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Line a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with wax or parchment paper and butter the paper.

Chop dates finely.

In a medium bowl, soak dates in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes. Add rum, butter and brown sugar. Allow mixture to sit until cool, about 20 minutes.

Stir in eggs and nuts.

Combine dry ingredients, then stir into the date mixture just until blended. Transfer batter to prepared pan and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.

Bake for about 70 minutes, or until it tests done. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a butter knife along edges of pan to free the bread. Turn out on wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

16 Servings.

Submitted by: CM