4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into half-inch
pieces
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped, pitted dates
1 cup boiling water
1 large egg
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
9”-x-5” loaf pan, greased
and floured
Place the butter, baking soda, and dates in a
medium-size bowl. Pour the boiling water over them and let the mixture stand
for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Heat the oven to 350ยบ.
In a large bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk,
sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk to blend, then stir in the
date mixture (after it has stood for the full 30 minutes).
In another large bowl, whisk together the flour,
baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and walnuts. Make a well in the dry mixture and
add the date mixture. Stir the combined ingredients with a wooden spoon until
evenly blended; do not beat.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth
the top with a spoon. Bake on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted
into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and put it on a
cooling rack for about 15 minutes, then remove the loaf from the pan and place
it on the rack to finish cooling. Makes 10 servings.
