Date Nut Bread
This moist, delicious date nut bread is the perfect treat to offer friends and family. Keep a few slices in the freezer for unexpected company!
by Diana Rattray
Date nut bread is one of my favorite quick breads to make for company or a weekend snack. The dates help moisten the cake and add sweetness. I love the bread with a smear of butter or cream cheese. You might also enjoy a flavored spread. A maple cream cheese spread is wonderful, or make an orange cream cheese spread with 4 ounces of soft cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon each of orange zest and juice.
Ingredients
Dates: I use pitted whole Medjool dates and I like to chop them coarsely. You can use pre-chopped dates if that’s what you have on hand.
Nuts: Walnuts or pecans are great choices, but you could also use pistachios, macadamia nuts, or hazelnuts.
Sugar: Use light or dark brown sugar or make the bread with granulated sugar or a combination.
Recipe Variations
Spiced: Add warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or a spice mixture.
Chocolate Chips: Fold in 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.
Coconut: Add 3/4 cup of coconut to the batter along with the nuts.
Nuts: Omit the nuts or use another kind of chopped nut.
Date Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, brewed coffee, or orange juice
- 2 cups chopped pitted dates, about 227 grams
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, light or dark
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups 208 grams all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 F and spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with baking spray.
- Bring the water, coffee, or orange juice to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Put the dates, butter, baking soda, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Pour the hot liquid over the date mixture and stir; set stand for 15 minutes to soften the dates and cool a bit.
- Whisk the egg and vanilla into the cooled date mixture.
- Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl and stir or whisk to combine.
- Pour the date mixture into the mixing bowl with the flour mixture and gently mix until smooth.
- Fold in the chopped nuts.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. Tent it with foil after 35 minutes. A skewer or toothpick inserted into the loaf should come out with just a few crumbs clinging to it.
