In large bowl, pour boiling water over dates. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in sugar, egg, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and butter. In small bowl, mix flour with nuts; stir into date mixtukre. Pour into two greased 1-lb. Coffee cans or one 8 cup mold. Cover with foil and tie. Place cans or mold on rack in slow-cooking pot. Pour 2 cups hot water around cans. Cover pot and cook on high for 2 2/1 to 3 hours or until done. Remove from pot. Let bread stand in coffee cans 10 minutes; turn out onto cooling rack. Slice and spread with butter, cream cheese, or peanut butter.