DATE NUT BREAD WITH LEMON

This absolutely delicious bread reminds me of my husbands mother, as I remember her making a fabulous date bread, and also a really remarkable prune bread!
When I sat down to enjoy a piece of this, I wanted to put it on a beautiful plate and honor, appreciate and commemorate Mothers all over the world! For me, it has been a day of quiet celebration and deep thanks.

DATE NUT BREAD WITH LEMON

8 ounces chopped pitted dates
3/4 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Heat oven to 350F. Butter and flour a loaf pan.
Combine dates and 3/4 cup boiling water in medium bowl. Let stand until just cool, about 15 minutes.
Mix flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon into small bowl. Beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar, then egg, lemon juice and lemon peel. Mix in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately wih date mixture in 2 additions. Stir in pecan. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
Bake bread until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Cut around pan sides, turn bread out onto rack. Cool completely.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, November, 1998
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