Auntie Teresa's Date Loaf

6 oz self raising flour
2 eggs
4 oz castor sugar
4 oz chopped dates
4 oz margarine vanilla essence
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda in 1 cup of boiling water to be poured over dates

Rub flour and margarine together until like fine breadcrumbs. Add all other ingredients, mix well. Put into a greased 2lb loaf tin. Bake at 1500 - 200°, gas 4-5 for about 1 hour.

Lily McLeod