1 1/3 c. flour
1 c. walnuts
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. dates
2 tbsp. butter
1 egg
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. boiling water
2 (1 lb.) coffee cans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour boiling water over dates and baking soda in a 5 inch bowl, and let stand. Sift flour and add walnuts in an 8 inch bowl. Cream sugar into soft butter, add egg and vanilla in a second 5 inch bowl. Pour contents of both 5 inch bowls into the 8 inch bowl. Mix well by hand only. Butter the entire insides of two 1 lb. coffee cans. Divide batter evenly in cans, bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cake will slide out easily.