Deep-South Date-Nut Loaf

Directions

1. 1
   In a large bowl, place dates and pecans.
2. 2
   Do not cut or chop. Place in bowl whole.
3. 3
   Sift flour; add baking powder and salt.
4. 4
   Pour over dates and nuts.
5. 5
   Mix thoroughly until dates and nuts are well floured.
6. 6
   Beat yolks until lemon colored, then add vanilla and sugar.
7. 7
   Stir into first mixture.
8. 8
   Mix well.
9. 9
   (I use my well scrubbed hands for this operation!)
10. 10
    Beat egg whites until they stand in peaks.
11. 11
    Fold gently into other mixture.
12. 12
    Grease a loaf pan generously; place inside thick, clean, brown wrapping paper.
13. 13
    Leave enough of the paper so that it overlaps the top of the loaf pan. Butter lining paper.
14. 14
    Spoon date-nut mixture into pan.
15. 15
    Fold the brown paper lightly over top of loaf.
16. 16
    (Heavy-duty aluminum foil could be used instead of the brown wrapping paper.)
17. 17
    Bake in 300° oven for 1/2 hour, then 225° for 1 1/2 hours, or until a knife plunged into loaf comes out clean.
18. 18
    During the last half hour of baking, uncover the top so that it may brown.
19. 19
    Do cook slowly.