Add chopped dates, baking soda, brown sugar, and hot water to a bowl or large measuring cup. Set aside and allow the dates to steep for about 15 minutes or until cooled.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

After soaking the dates, whisk in the egg, yogurt, and vanilla extract, separating any date pieces that may have stuck together.

Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is just combined with no streaks of flour remaining. Finally, gently fold in the chopped walnuts.

Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the bread is browning too quickly, tent it with foil during the last 10 minutes or so.

Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, remove the bread from the pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

If you don't plan to eat the date bread immediately after cooling, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature.