Date Nut Bread

Joyce Wycoff

The Wycoffs were our next-door neighbors in Chester. Joyce was a nurse. Her husband, John, was a carpenter. They had two sons, John who was a little older than I and Jeff, a little older than Marti. They remained good friends after we moved to Randolph and later after they moved to Cape Cod. When Dad was in the hospital, Joyce was a supervisor and made sure he and the family got good nursing care. This recipe is on an envelope postmarked Dec. 12, 1960.

John and Joyce Wycoff, 1981

• 1/2 pound dates, cut up
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• *******
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon melted shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup nuts
• 1 cup sugar

Add the dates and baking soda to boiling water. Let the date mixture sit while you measure out dry ingredients, then mix together. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour. Good luck.

Beginning of recipe on back of envelope


Continuation of the recipe on face of envelope addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. John Wycoff"