Pumpkin Date Bread (Makes 1 loaf)

My recipes files seem to have always contained a pumpkin bread recipe and a date bread recipe. Now I present to you a combination of the two flavors which I think is extraordinarily good.

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup canned cooked pumpkin
1/3 cup water
1 and 2/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup diced dates
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. In large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.     Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

2. Stir in pumpkin and water.

3. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt,     cinnamon and cloves. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin     mixture and stir just until moistened.

4. Gently stir in dates and walnuts.

5. Pour into greased and floured or parchment-lined 9x5x3-     inch loaf pan.

6. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 60-70 minutes or     until inserted wooden pick comes out clean.

7. Let stand in pan 10 minutes before removing bread to     wire rack to continue cooling.