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Dark Date Nut Bread

1 cup boiling water

1 cup mixed light and dark raisins

1 cup chopped dates

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 1/2 teaspoons soda

1 3/4 cups Gold Medal® flour*

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350°.  Pour boiling water over raisins, dates, butter and soda and let stand.  Mix flour, sugar and salt thoroughly; add fruit mixture and remaining ingredients.  Beat well; pour into greased and floured loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches, or two 1-pound coffee cans or four #303 cans.  Bake loaf or coffee cans 60 to 70 minutes, #303 cans 40 to 45 minutes.

 *If using self-rising flour, omit soda and salt.

For Small Recipe:  Follow recipe above except--use half of the amount of each ingredient.  Bake in greased and floured 1-pound coffee can 60 to 65 minutes.  (If using self-rising flour, decrease soda to 1/4 teaspoon and omit salt.)