Maida Heatter's Pumpkin Loaf

• all-purpose flour↗2 1⁄2 cups

  sifted

• baking soda↗2 teaspoons
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• cinnamon↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• clove↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• eggs↗2

  graded large

• light brown sugar↗2 cups

  firmly packed

• oil1⁄2 cup

  any tasteless vegetable oil

• canned pumpkin puree↗2 cups
• pitted dates↗8 ounces

  cut in large-ish chunks

• walnuts↗1 cup

  broken into pieces

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Butter a 10"x5" loaf pan and spritz with baking spray. Preheat oven to 350.

2. 2

   Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.

3. 3

   In large bowl, beat eggs just to mix. Add sugar and oil and beat lightly just to mix.

4. 4

   Mix in the pumpkin puree and dates.

5. 5

   Add sifted dry ingredients, and mix only until they are smoothly incorporated.

6. 6

   Stir in the walnuts.

7. 7

   Turn into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake 1-1/2 hours. (If you use two smaller pans, bake 65-70 minutes.).

8. 8

   Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert pan and let cake stand until cool. Cake is best if prepared the day before serving.