Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour or spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the dates. Let it stand for 5 minutes.

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the sugar and the egg.

In a medium bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Add this alternately to the mixer bowl with the dates and water and beat until it is incorporated.

On low speed, add the walnuts, melted butter, and vanilla extract until it is mixed well.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Tent the loaf bread with aluminum foil at the 40 minute mark to prevent excess browning on the top. Use a cake tester to test for doneness, you may need a few more minutes.

Place the loaf pan a wire rack for 10 minutes, then loosen the sides of the bread with a thin knife. Invert the pan to carefully remove the bread onto the wire rack. Flip the bread top-side up to cool completely on the wire rack.

Store the date nut bread covered at room temperature on top of the counter.