Date Nut Pound Cake

1 lb. butter
2 C. sugar
6 eggs
1 (1 oz.) bottle lemon extract
4 C. all-purpose flour, divided
1 lb. dates, chopped
4 C. pecans and walnuts, finely chopped


Cream butter well. Add sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flavoring. Sprinkle 1 cup of the flour over nuts and dates. Add remaining 3 cups flour to creamed mixture. Add dates and nuts. Mix well and spoon into well greased 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 300ºF for 2 hours. Remove from oven and turn upside down for a few minutes.