3/4 c. boiling water
1 c. pitted dates, sliced
16 oz. chocolate chips
4 tbsp. butter
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 c. almonds, coarsely chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. molasses
2 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Makes 1 loaf. Grease 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. In small bowl, pour water over dates; set aside.

Melt chocolate over low heat with butter. In small bowl, beat egg with milk, vanilla and molasses just until mixed.

In large bowl mix flour and remaining ingredients; add dates and liquid, chocolate and milk mixture, mix only until blended. Put in pan. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool bread in pan 10 minutes on rack, remove from pan and finish cooling on wire rack.