Description
Bake a truly comforting quick bread that is soft, moist, and full of classic flavor. This easy date nut bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or as a holiday treat.
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, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts, plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour one 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 granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps create a moist crumb.
- 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.
- Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and the date mixture (including any remaining liquid).
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle a few extra chopped walnuts over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent the loaf with aluminum foil after about 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 flavor.
Notes
- For an extra moist loaf, soak the dates in hot water or strong brewed tea instead of plain boiling water.
- If you want a slight variation, substitute 1/2 cup of the flour with whole wheat flour for a more wholesome snack bread.
- This classic quick bread freezes well. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg