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 mixture stand. 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 soaking water from the date mixture INTO the creamed butter, sugar, and egg mixture. (See note) Add flour and beat well. Add nuts, dates, and vanilla.

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

Note on straining: If you have a strainer, just place it over the bowl after you’ve creamed the butter, sugar and egg mixture and let the liquid flow in 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.