Frugal Gourmet's Date-Nut Bread With Cream Cheese and Walnuts

Ingredients

Bread

• 1 1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons shortening, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup coarsely-chopped walnuts

Spread

• cream cheese
• finely-chopped walnuts

Directions

1. 1

   Place dates in a mixing bowl and add boiling water. Let stand until fairly cool. Add brown sugar, egg, shortening and vanilla. Stir flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder into mixture. Add nuts. Stir until well mixed. Bake in a greased and floured loaf pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Remove to a cooling rack.