Makes 2 loaves
We don’t remember Cousin Carrie, but we do recall our grandmother talking about how much she liked this cake. The recipe calls for baking it in a “horn pan” – a tube pan? – but we made it in two loaf pans. Like some fruit cakes, it’s more fruit and nut than batter, very sweet and uses no shortening. It’s delicious in thin slices plain or spread with cream cheese. Among revisions we added: spray pans with baking spray and line with parchment. The original recipe notes “baking has much to do with success – must not be too hard and dry nor too soft and sticky. Needs watching as it burns easily.”

Variations: Add grated zest from one orange. Use light brown sugar instead of white sugar.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray or butter well, then line with parchment.

In large bowl, beat eggs until well blended. Add sugar and vanilla and beat until thoroughly combined. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, and whisk into egg mixture. Add pecans and dates and combine well – the mixture is thick. Divide batter between two pans.

Bake for 40-50 minutes until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Check carefully that it doesn’t burn. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then loosen sides with a thin knife and turn out onto rack to cool completely.