Honeyed Date Bread

Photo: flickr user foéÖþoooey

Ingredients

2 cups pitted fresh dates

2 tablespoons shortening

2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 cup honey

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 teaspoon grated orange peel

3/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup orange juice

1 egg beaten

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1/4 cup chopped black walnuts

Preparation

Cut dates in small pieces. pt dates, shortening, brown sugar, honey,vanilla, orange peel, hot water and orange juice into mixing bowl. Stirto mix; set aside for 15 minutes.

Add egg and mix well. Sift in flour, baking soda and salt; stir just en-ough to moisten dry ingredients. Fold in nuts. Turn into a greased9x5x3-inch loaf pan.

Bake in slow oven (325 F.) 1 hour, or until bread tests done withcake tester inserted in center of loaf. Let stand in pan 10 minutes;turn onto wire rack to cool. Wrap in foil or plastic wrap and store incool place overnight (or freeze) before slicing.