Boston Brown Bread Recipe

1 pound chopped dates
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups sugar
½ cup shortening
2 eggs
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup walnut pieces
1 cup raisins
Six 14- to 16-ounce empty, clean vegetable or fruit cans

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Combine the dates and baking soda in a bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the mixture and let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Combine the sugar, shortening, and eggs in a large bowl. Using a mixer, beat at medium-high speed until creamy. Add the date mixture and flour and stir until well blended. Add the nuts and raisins; mix well.
4. Fill the cans about two-thirds full with batter. Bake for 1¼ hours, until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the cans on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing from the cans and returning to the rack to cool completely. Serves 36.