Good Old Fashioned Date and Nut Loaf by Delores Burkart

SHOT 1: Preheat oven to 350 F.
Gather ingredients:
1 1/2 cup chopped fresh or dried dates
1 T. butter
1 C boiling water
1/8 C brown sugar
1/8 C molasses
1/8 C freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs

1 C white flour ( Don’t use whole wheat flour or it make the cake will be too heavy )
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 – 1/2 C chopped walnuts or pecans. (Chop nuts to desired size)

SHOT 2: Pit (if using fresh) and chop dates. In a large bowl, pour the boiling hot water over the chopped dates. Add butter and cinnamon. Let cool to room temperature.
When cool, mash date mixture with a potato masher.
Then add: orange zest, vanilla, orange juice, brown sugar, molasses and eggs. Mix well.

SHOT 3: In a medium size bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add chopped nuts. Mix well. Then add the dry ingredients to the date mixture and mix until all ingredients are combined.

SHOT 4: Pour the batter into a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan. Add a few nuts on top for garnish. Bake for 50 - 60 minutes (test by inserting a thin knife in the center of the cake , when done it will have a bit of date sticking to it but no batter). When done, remove from the oven and let cool on a rack.

SHOT 5: Slice and serve with a slice of fruit and a cup of your favourite blend of tea / coffee.
***** For a special occasions, serve drizzled with a chocolate Grand Marnier Sauce and generous dollop of whipped cream.
To Make Chocolate Grand Marnier Sauce:
In a heavy saucepan, stirring frequently, melt 6 oz. of chopped unsweetened chocolate over low heat. Once melted, slowly mix in 3/4 C of whipping cream. Add 1/4 C sugar and 2- 3 oz. of Grand Marnier Liqueur. Cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently , for about 3 – 4 minutes or until sauce just bubbles around the edges.