Cranberry Date Nut Loaf

Old fashioned date nut loaf with an extra burst of tart cranberries for breakfast or just about any time!

Ingredients:

3 cups chopped dates

1 cup dried cranberries

2 tsps baking soda

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup butter

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 egg

2 3/4 cups flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp vanilla

Roughly chop the dates or use kitchen scissors to snip them, I find that easier. Combine the dates, cranberries and baking soda and add the boiling water. Let stand a few minutes. Do not discard the water afterwards. Cream the butter, sugar and egg together. Then, using a strainer, add the "date" water to the butter mixture.

Next add the flour and beat well. And finally add the walnuts, dates, cranberries and vanilla.

Grease and flour (I like to use the all-in-one Baker's Joy) 2 - 8 X 4" loaf pans. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.

Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Cool on rack 10-15 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.

Makes 2 loaves. Eat one and freeze one!