Good-Cooking - Canadian Rum Cake

Ingredients

• 1 pound dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 pound walnuts, chopped
• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3 eggs, well beaten
• 2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons rum
• Rum glaze (optional)