Place dates in a large bowl. Combine boiling water and baking soda; pour over dates.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly. Beat in egg and vanilla.
Add flour mixture alternately with date mixture. Stir in pecans.
Pour into a greased and floured 9x5-in. loaf pan.
Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 65-75 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, combine spread ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with bread.
