Cook dates, butter, sugar, and soda in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Cool. Add well beaten egg and self raising flour, mix well.
Grease or line with baking paper a long narrow tin. Bake in moderate oven for around 3/4 hour (need to check on).
Remove from tin. When cool, slice and spread slices with butter to serve.
Source: From very old Golden Wattle Cookery book.
By Lorraine from Perth, Western Australia
Sprinkle soda over dates. Pour hot water over both; let cool. Cream butter and brown sugar; add egg and beat. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Blend in vanilla and nuts.
Put ingredients in to bread machine according to manufacturer's directions. I set mine to the dough cycle, then let it rise in a warmed oven for 30 minutes then bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes.
Chop dates and add the 1 1/2 cups hot water poured over. Do this first. Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs and beat. Add cooled date mixture.