I made this recently for a church tea party. I made sandwiches iut of this filled with slightly sweetened cream cheese. My Mom used to serve these at showers and teas. They got rave reviews. I baked it in a long loaf pan and sliced it in 1/2 inch slices, filled with the sweetened cream cheese and cut into "fingers".

ORANGE DATE NUT BREAD
Makes 2 Large Loaves for approximately 75 tea sandwiches.
Chiqui Collier

1 1/2 cups diced dates, about 9 ounces
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 large eggs
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup dark molasses
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 large loaf pans.

In a bowl combine the dates, boiling water, and baking soda and let cool to room temperature.

Into a bowl sift the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.

In another bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla and orange peel. Add the date mixture, stirring to combine. Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the walnuts.

Transfer the mixture to the loaf pans and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan 5 minutes and invert onto racks to cool completely. Serve with plain or flavored cream cheese or fruit butter. Loaves will keep, wrapped tightly in plastic, for up to one week.

This recipe can easily be cut in half. I am a caterer so I make the whole recipe!!!