Place pitted, chopped dates into a large bowl with baking soda and butter.

Pour boiling water over dates, butter, and soda and let sit until cool.

Add vanilla, sugar, flour and egg, mix until well combined.

Stir in nuts.

Pour into well greased pan.

For bundt cakes loaf pans or large springform cakes, cook 45 minutes to 1 hour- when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes clean.

For muffins, bake 15-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.