Description
This Date Nut Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread packed with sweet, soft dates and crunchy walnuts, spiced with warm cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a comforting dessert, it combines the natural sweetness of dates with the rich texture of nuts and warm spices, baked to golden perfection in a classic loaf pan.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup chopped pitted dates (4 oz or 110 grams, about 16 dates)
- 1 cup boiling water (240 ml)
- 4 tablespoons butter (57 grams)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar (150 grams)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (188 grams)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (about 2 oz)
Instructions
- Soak Dates: Place the chopped dates in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Allow the dates to soak and cool to room temperature for 30 minutes to soften and infuse the water with sweetness.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 2-pound loaf pan using non-stick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the baked bread.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and light brown sugar until well combined. Add the soaked date mixture (including the soaking water) and mix thoroughly. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and chopped walnuts. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan before slicing.
Notes
- Make sure to soak the dates in boiling water to soften them, which adds moisture and natural sweetness to the bread.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or your favorite nuts for a different flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier bread, increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of ground ginger.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to get clean cuts and prevent crumbling.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
