Pat Nixon’s Date Nut Bread - Recipes from the White House

1 pound packaged dates

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ cups boiling water

1 stick butter

1 ¾ cups sugar

1 egg

2 ¾ cups flour

1 cup chopped nuts

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cut dates into small pieces and place in a bowl. Add baking soda to boiling water and pour over dates. Set aside and let mixture stand. With a mixer, cream butter and sugar together. Add the egg. Strain the water from the date mixture into the cream, sugar and egg mixture. Add flour and beat well. Add nuts, dates and vanilla.

Pour mixture into greased 8x4” loan pans. Bake for one hour in a 350 F oven. Makes 2 loaves.