Position your oven rack to the middle and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.

Place the chopped dates in a large bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups of hot water over them. Stir gently and let them sit for 5 minutes.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Stir the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar into the bowl with the softened dates and water.

Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and fold gently until just combined.

Fold the chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter gently.

Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it using the parchment paper overhang.