Description
Bake this classic, easy date nut bread for a comforting, moist loaf perfect for breakfast or snacking. This recipe delivers rich flavor every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup packed pitted dates, chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Place the chopped dates in a small bowl. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the dates and stir in the baking soda. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps create a moist texture.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix the batter.
- Stir in the softened date mixture (it will be liquidy) and the chopped walnuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent it with foil after 40 minutes.
- Let the date nut bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve warm with butter for the best experience.
Notes
- For an extra flavorful loaf, use Medjool dates.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a more wholesome snack bread.
- This homemade date bread freezes well; wrap the cooled loaf tightly before freezing.
- Serve this classic loaf cake warm with a smear of cream cheese or honey.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 55