Submitted by Patty B.

My grandma Merritt passed away right after I was born but my older brothers and sisters had great memories of what a great cook she was. The entire Merritt family met at grandma and grandpa’s cottage in Port Huron several times a week. My sister said grandma could whip up a pie crust and pie in 15 minutes. I’m lucky to have most of her recipes. This one is from 1945. 

• 1 cup of chopped dates
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup of boiling water
• A chunk of butter the size of an egg
• 2 cups of flour
• ½ tsp. of salt
• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg 

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Pour boiling water over chopped dates and add both the baking soda and the butter. Soak till cooled. Mix together dry ingredients, add sugar, vanilla and the egg. Add dry ingredients. Mix. Add chopped dates and any remaining liquid. Pour into two small greased and floured loaf pans (or one large loaf pan.) Bake 45-50 minutes for one large loaf, 40 minutes for two small loaves.  A simple but super tasting treat!