Date nut bread is a flavorful quick bread that’s easy to make at home.
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What Is Date Nut Bread?
Date nut bread is a quick bread flavored with dates and nuts. Like other quick breads, such as banana bread, date nut bread gets its rise from baking soda or baking powder rather than yeast. Date nut bread was sold in cans in the 1930s, and the dark, moist bread became especially popular with a cream cheese topping.
4 Variations on Date Nut Bread
Once you've mastered a standard date nut bread recipe, try one of these variations:
- 1. Fruity date nut bread: Replace some of the dates with other dried fruit, such as dried apples or cranberries.
- 2. Whole wheat date nut bread: Replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
- 3. Boozy date nut bread: Add a tablespoon of bourbon or brandy to the batter for depth of flavor. (The alcohol will cook off during baking.)
- 4. Coffee date nut bread: Replace the boiling water in this recipe with freshly brewed coffee.
Classic Date Nut Bread Recipe
makes
1 9-inch loafprep time
30 mintotal time
1 hr 30 mincook time
1 hrIngredients
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Lightly grease and flour a 9-inch loaf pan.
- 3
Combine the butter and ¾ cup water in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
- 4
Place dates in a large heat-proof mixing bowl and pour the boiling water and butter mixture over the dates.
- 5
Let the mixture sit until the dates are plump, about 15 minutes.
- 6
Add the nuts, eggs, and vanilla.
- 7
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- 8
Add the dry ingredients to the date mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined.
- 9
Scrape the dough into the prepared pan.
- 10
Bake the loaf until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour.
- 11
Let the loaf cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
- 12
Let it cool to room temperature before serving.
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