Boston Brown Bread

Boston Brown Bread

Ingredients

• 1 pound chopped dates
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 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

Cooking Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Combine the dates and baking soda in a bowl. 
3. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the mixture and let stand for 5 minutes.
4. Combine the sugar, shortening, and eggs in a large bowl.
5. Using a mixer, beat at medium- high speed until creamy.
6. Add the date mixture and flour and stir until well blended.
7. Add the nuts and raisins; mix well.
8. Fill the cans about two- thirds full with batter. 
9. Bake for 11⁄4 hours until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
10. Cool in the cans on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing the bread from the cans and returning to the rack to cool completely.