1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. chopped pitted dates
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1 beaten egg
2 1/4 c. sifted flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 tbsp. melted shortening
1 tsp. vanilla

Pour boiling water over dates and let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile add sugar gradually to egg while beating with spoon. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and soda, stir in nuts. Add date mixture alternately with sifted ingredients and nuts to sugar and egg mixture. Stir in shortening and vanilla and pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 300-325 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes. Check with toothpick.