Instructions: In a medium mixing bowl stir together 1 cup of the flour, sugar, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Add pumpkin, milk, eggs, and shortening. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed about 30 seconds or till combined. Then beat on high speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add the remaining flour; beat till well mixed.

Stir in dates.

Pour batter into five 4 1/2x2 1/2x1 1/2 inch individual loaf pans or two 8x4x2-inch loaf pans, filling about 2/3 full. Bake in a 350F oven for 35 to 45 minutes for smaller loaves or about 45 minutes for larger loaves or till toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Wrap and store overnight at room temperature. Before serving, drizzle with Spiced Glaze.

Makes 5 smaller loaves or 2 larger loaves (about 25 slices).

Spiced Glaze: In a small mixing bowl stir together 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger. Stir in enough water (2 to 3 teaspoons) to produce an icing of drizzling consistency.

NOTES : Dates dress up the flavors you love in pumpkin pie.

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