Yields 8 mini loaves

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour boiling water or coffee over dates. Set aside to cool. Sift flour. Sift again with baking powder, nutmeg, salt, and soda. Cream butter with sugar and egg. Add flour mixture with butter mixture in three parts, alternating with thirds of the date mixture. Stir well after each addition. Fold in raisins and pecans. Bake in greased 8 1/2 × 4 1/2 loaf pans for about 45 minutes or until the center is done.

Make a glaze of powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over the tops of the cooled loaves. Decorate with red cherries and green cherries in the shape of leaves.