Date Nut Bread

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Hello Daring Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My crave-worthy Date Nut Bread is the just-sweet-enough deal with you didn’t know you wanted! It’s easy, satisfying, and prepared from the oven in simply over an hour. This loaf has turn out to be a staple in my home—I bake it each week for breakfast, lunchboxes, or a bit one thing candy on the finish of the day. Toasting the walnuts actually brings out their taste and provides a stunning crunch, however when you’re not a nut fan, you possibly can simply swap them for dried fruit like chopped apricots, golden raisins, and even chocolate chips.

• A beloved traditional that feels new once more: Healthful substances and a no-fuss preparation make this conventional favourite good for 2026.
• Jammy and crunchy: The distinctive buttery, delicate sweetness of dates pairs so nicely with toasty walnuts.
• So some ways to take pleasure in: Wrap a slice in a serviette for a snack on the run, toast and unfold with butter, or sandwich with cream cheese.
• Higher for you: Whereas some recipes have oil and plenty of added sugar, my quickbread will get its moistness and sweetness (plus fiber!) from dates blended all through the batter.
• No mixer wanted: You don’t want any particular tools for this quickbread recipe.

Typically a nostalgic recipe resurfaces at simply the fitting time. I’ve learn that a variety of you have been in search of a bake that’s candy sufficient to really feel like a deal with, however with out being too heavy or overly sugary. I assumed dates could be good to make use of—they’re generally referred to as “nature’s sweet” in any case!—however I wished to give you a date nut bread that was lighter than the standard cake-type model. When testing this recipe, I discovered that stirring softened dates into the batter naturally makes the quickbread evenly candy, with one of the best caramel taste and a satisfying texture. For extra date magic, try Steamed Sticky Toffee Pudding, Microwave Sticky Toffee Pudding, Fast and Straightforward Maamoul (Conventional Arabic Cookies), Wholesome Chocolate Banana Ice Cream, and Apricot Almond Do-it-yourself Larabars.

Desk of Contents

What’s Date Nut Bread?

Date Nut Bread is a quickbread leavened with baking soda. Softening the dates in boiling water and mashing them till clean provides moisture, sweetness, and a caramel-toffee taste to the bread. Toasted, chopped walnuts lend the bread crunch and supply an ideal distinction to the quickbread’s delicate crumb. Though dates have been cultivated for hundreds of years within the Center East, date nut fast bread didn’t turn out to be fashionable within the U.S. till the Twenties, when imported dates turned broadly accessible. This healthful tea bread is scrumptious for breakfast, or as a snack, unfold with common butter, flavored butter, cream cheese, or peanut butter or almond butter.

Key Components and Substitutes

Dates

• Dates give the bread sweetness, construction, and moisture.
• Importantly, the beneficiant quantity of dates on this recipe retains the bread tender and delicate for days.
• For finest outcomes, I like to recommend Medjool dates as a result of they’re exceptionally delicate and candy, however any dates will work on this recipe.
• Dates have round 4 grams of fiber per serving, which helps good digestion and helps you are feeling fuller.
• Substitutes: Use an equal quantity of softened prunes or figs.

Boiling water

• Soaking and mashing the dates in boiling water creates a delicate, jam-like puree that blends seamlessly into the batter.
• Substitute: In the event you’d like a sweeter date bread, use boiled apple juice as an alternative.

Baking soda

• Baking soda reacts with the dates’ acidity to launch carbon dioxide gasoline, forming tiny bubbles that leaven the date nut bread.
• Importantly, the baking soda creates a light-weight crumb on this date bread recipe.

Eggs

• Eggs emulsify the substances, making a clean, cohesive batter.
• Moreover, eggs give the bread construction, so it’s simpler to slice.
• Use room-temperature eggs on this recipe to make sure that they combine in nicely.
• Substitute: Instead of the 2 eggs on this recipe, you need to use 8 tablespoons of applesauce or 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons of floor flaxseed blended with 6 tablespoons of water).

All-purpose flour

• All-purpose flour is used on this recipe to create a date-nut bread with the fitting steadiness of construction and tenderness.
• Substitute: For gluten-free date nut quickbread, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking combine, like my Straightforward Almond Flour Baking Combine or one other gluten-free flour as an alternative of the all-purpose flour.
  • In the event you’d like a heartier date bread, substitute 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 cup (5 oz/142 g ) of whole-wheat flour.

Granulated sugar

• Granulated sugar sweetens the bread.
• Moreover, granulated sugar aids browning, including a caramel observe.
• Substitutes: You should use the identical quantity of brown sugar.

Butter

• Butter provides the date bread a wealthy taste and contributes to a young crumb.
• Utilizing melted butter on this recipe ensures it mixes nicely all through the batter, creating even moisture and inhibiting gluten improvement, leading to a delicate crumb.
• Substitute: Use the identical quantity of coconut oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.

Salt

• Salt balances out the sweetness of the dates and sugar and enhances the flavors.

Walnuts

• Walnuts add a wealthy, toasty taste and sturdy texture.
• Substitutes: In the event you favor, use the identical quantity of your favourite nut, like pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts.
  • For a nut-free possibility, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds as an alternative.

Methods to Make Date Nut Bread

1. Put together to bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Butter and line a 9 x 5-inch (23 x 12 cm) loaf pan, then set it apart.
2. Soak dates: In a medium, heat-proof bowl, mix the dates, boiling water, and baking soda. Cowl with cling wrap and let cool to room temperature, about half-hour.

3. Mash dates: Utilizing a potato masher, mash the dates into a rough puree.

4. Add different substances up to now combination: Whisk in eggs, flour, sugar, butter, and salt into the dates till simply mixed.

5. End making batter: Fold within the walnuts, after which unfold into the ready pan.

6. Bake loaf: Bake for 55-60 minutes, till a skewer or toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clear.

6. Cool quickbread: Let cool within the pan for 10 minutes earlier than transferring to a wire rack to let cool fully.
7. Get pleasure from! Slice and serve with butter.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW! 

Gemma’s Professional Chef Ideas

• Baking soda helps soften the dates rapidly and neutralizes tannins, making the dates sweeter.
• Medjool dates are my best choice for this bread as a result of they’ve the softest texture and richest taste, however any selection will probably be scrumptious on this recipe.
• Use any nut you favor when you don’t look after walnuts.
• Make a heartier quickbread by changing 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) of complete wheat flour.
• In the event you favor sweeter date nut tea bread, add extra sugar.  This bread depends on the pure sweetness of the dates. For one thing a bit extra dessert-like, add an additional ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) of granulated or packed brown sugar.
• Attempt toasting the date nut bread. It’s incredible with Orange Honey Compound Butter.

Combine-Ins and Taste Variations

• Citrus is gorgeous on this date-nut bread recipe—sit in 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest.
• Add spice notes by including 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
• For added taste depth, add in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract when whisking within the eggs.
• Layer the fruit taste—stir in 1/2 cup (2 1/2 oz/71 g) of chopped dried cherries.
• Coconut is fantastic on this bread—use 1/2 cup (1 1/2 oz/43 g) of unsweetened coconut flakes.
• If you would like your date tea bread to be extra dessert-like, add 1/2 cup (3 oz/85 g) mini chocolate chips to the batter.

Make-Forward and Storage Directions

Make-ahead ideas

• You can also make the date bread, cool it, and hold it in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as three days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
• For prolonged storage, wrap the date nut bread nicely, put it in a freezer bag or container, and freeze for as much as eight weeks.
  • Refresh the frozen bread by wrapping it in foil and warming it at 325°F (165°C) for quarter-hour.

Methods to retailer leftovers

• After the date nut tea bread has cooled fully, place it in an hermetic container and retailer at room temperature for three days or refrigerate for 5 days.
• This bread freezes very well. Wrap the bread, place in a freezer container or bag, and retailer for as much as eight weeks.
  • To refresh the frozen date nut bread, wrap it in foil and heat it at 325°F (165°C) for quarter-hour.

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