$500 Margarita Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup pitted dates, chopped small dice
1/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (such as)
triple sec or Cointreau liqueur
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lime zest (use a microplane grater if you have one)
2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 tablespoons shortening
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup pecans, chopped
CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange-flavored liqueur
1 tablespoon lime zest

Preparation

In a small bowl, combine dates, tequila, orange liqueur, water, lemon and lime zest; set aside. In large mixer bowl, beat sugar, shortening and egg until fluffy. In another bowl, combine flour, soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with date mixture, using low to medium speed. Stir in pecans.
Turn into greased 9\" x 5\" by 2-1/2\" loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Or, bake 3 or 4 mini loaf pans 30-35 minutes. Turn out on wire rack to cool. Slice thin and serve with cream cheese spread.
CREAM CHEESE SPREAD:
In small mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in liqueur and lime zest. Makes 1-1/4 cups.
Bread freezes well.