Cut the pitted dates into small pieces. Sprinkle with baking soda and pour the hot water over it, then stir. The dates have to go through for a few hours (always overnight for me).
Info: The baking soda makes the firm skin of the dates soft and easier to digest.
Preheat the oven to 190 ° C.
Beat the egg with a whisk until foamy, sprinkle with sugar and vanilla sugar. Mix flour with baking powder and stir into the egg and sugar cream. Gradually add the walnuts, dates (including the remaining water) and salt to the batter. Continue kneading for a few minutes. Grease a loaf pan or line it with baking paper. Pour in the dough and bake for about 1 hour on the 2nd level from the bottom (do a stick test).