Date Nut Bread

Recipe is from Aunt Nellie.

2 cups pitted dates
2 cups boiling water
2 tsp soda
2 TB butter
1 ¾ cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups flour
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup nuts

Pour boiling water over dates, add soda, shortening, sugar, and beaten eggs. Sift flour, salt, baking powder and add to first mixture. Add nuts and vanilla. Pour into greased tins. Let stand 5 minutes. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Makes 2 medium loaves.