(by Maram Taibah)
(A note about the dates: Try to visit a Middle Eastern market and ask for Saudi Arabian dates, specifically “Khalas” dates. They are red-brown in color, tend to be as soft as dough and stick to your fingers.)
1 c. butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 c. sugar
5 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
4 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 c. or more dates, pitted and chopped
Preheat oven to 365 F.
In a mixer, beat the butter until smooth.
Beat in the sugar.
Add the eggs, one at a time.
Add vanilla.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
With the mixer on low speed, add flour to egg mixture, a little at a time, until you have a smooth batter.
Stir in dates with a wooden spoon.
Pour into a greased loaf or tube pan, sprinkled with brown sugar.
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
(Read A Feminine Thing, the story that accompanies this recipe.)