1 c. dates
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. boiling water

Add dates and baking soda to boiling water. Let stand while mixing other ingredients.

1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. shortening, creamed
2 eggs
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. pecans

Mix all ingredients. Add date mixture and stir. Pour into prepared muffin tins. Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out nearly clean, about 20-25 minutes.

Icing:

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
1/3 c. milk
confectioners' sugar
vanilla

Boil sugar, butter and milk for 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add enough confectioners' sugar for right consistency to spread. Add a dash of vanilla. Spread on baked date muffins.

Submitted by: Donna Barker