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Easy, Moist, Old-Fashioned Date Nut Bread

A close-up of a slice of moist date nut bread loaf topped with walnuts and visible dried fruit.
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Bake this classic, moist date nut bread, a comforting quick bread perfect for breakfast or holiday snacking. This easy recipe brings back cherished memories.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup packed pitted dates, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 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

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. Place the chopped dates in a medium bowl. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the dates and stir in the baking soda. Let this mixture stand for 15 minutes to soften the dates. This step helps keep your bread moist.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the date mixture (including any liquid) and the 1 cup of chopped walnuts.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top with a few extra chopped walnuts if desired.
  7. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the loaf 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 rich flavor, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
  • If you prefer a sweeter loaf, you can add 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup when creaming the butter and sugar.
  • This homemade quick bread freezes well once completely cooled. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/easy-moist-old-fashioned-date-nut-bread/