Cut dates into small pieces and place in a bowl. Add baking soda to boiling water and pour over dates in bowl. Set aside and let the mixture stand (until cool). You will be using BOTH the dates and the SOAKING WATER in the recipe. (DO NOT DISCARD WATER.)

With a mixer, cream butter and sugar together. Add the egg. Strain the cooled soaking water from the date mixture INTO the creamed butter, sugar, and egg mixture. (See note)

Add salt if using into the flour and whisk together well. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat well. Add nuts, dates, and vanilla if using..

Pour mixture into 2 greased 8 x 4″ loaf pans. Bake for one hour in a 350 F oven.

Notes:

On straining the date mixture: If you have a strainer, just place it over the bowl after you’ve creamed the butter, sugar, and egg mixture and let the cool liquid flow into the mixture, while reserving the dates for the next step. If not, just hold the dates back with a spoon as you pour the soaking liquid in.

The original recipe did not call for vanilla or salt. I have listed them as optional.