Spray a 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and place a round sheet of parchment paper in the bottom.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and 3 tablespoons molasses. Add eggs, cottage cheese, and dates and beat to blend.

In a small bowl, whisk flour with dry ingredients. Add half of dry ingredients to butter mixture, stir with a wooden spoon, add half of milk and stir with the wooden spoon. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and then milk.

Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350-degrees-F for 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out nearly clean. Don’t overbake. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon molasses with 1 teaspoon water; paint top of warm bread with molasses mixture for a shiny sheen on top of bread.