Classic Old Fashioned Date and Walnut Bread Recipe

Classic, old fashioned walnut date bread is an easy and delicious quick bread to enjoy with a cup of morning coffee or afternoon tea.

My grandmother loved dates, and prunes too. She made prune rolls and date bread often. As I child I did not like either, and in fact still do not like prunes but I have come to love dates. Especially made into an old fashioned quick bread. Recently I make Walnut Date bread and it is easy and delicious, especially warm from the oven slathered with butter or a little cream cheese. This old fashioned date nut bread recipe is moist, filled with crunchy walnuts, warm spices and soft dates, it is perfect with a hot cup of coffee or a cup of tea.

If you like an old fashioned recipe try my  banana bread, pumpkin bread, cranberry nut bread or my double chocolate loaf cake.They are all family favorites and may soon be yours as well.

Walnut Date Bread

What you need to make moist date nut bread

• 11/2 cups chopped and pitted dates
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 extra large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 11/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions for Date Nut Loaf

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare 81/2 x 41/2 loaf pan with cooking spray and line with a piece of parchment paper, let the paper hang over the edge for easy removal.
• In a small mixing bowl place the chopped dried dates and the baking soda, then add the boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes to cool.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the sugar and butter, until light and fluffy then add the egg and the vanilla, mix until combined.
• Add the dates and any water left in the bowl, mix on low.
• Add the dry ingredients, the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt, mix on low until just combined. Stir in the walnuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a cake tester or skewer comes out clean.If the top is getting too brown tent it with foil.
• Remove from oven, place on wire rack to cool. Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes and them remove and let them completely cool.

Tips & Variations

• Double the recipe. Share a loaf or freeze a loaf to enjoy later. The Christmas season is a great time to make extra to share with family and friends.
• Or make mini loaves to add to gift baskets.
• You can use any dates that you like, including medjool dates.
• If you don’t like dates, leave them out and make walnut bread instead.
• Add chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.
• Use pecans instead of walnuts.
• You could also eat it toasted and add jelly or syrup, whatever you like.

How do you store date nut loaf?

Wrap room temperature date nut loaf in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap in plastic, then in foil or place in a a ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

I hope that you try a loaf of date nut bread. It’s become one of my favorite recipe to make in the Fall for my mom. It makes a delicious afternoon snack or a sweet breakfast treat.

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

What are you baking this week? Please share your recipes and links to them as well.

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Walnut Date Bread

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Classic, old fashioned walnut date bread is an easy and delicious quick bread to enjoy with a cup of morning coffee or afternoon tea.

• Total Time: 0 hours
• Yield: 10 servings 1x

Ingredients

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11/2 cups chopped and pitted dates

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup boiling water

3/4 cup light brown sugar

4 tablespoon butter, softened

1 extra large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

11/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare 81/2 x 41/2 loaf pan with cooking spray and line with a piece of parchment paper, let the paper hang over the edge for easy removal.

In a small mixing bowl place the chopped dried dates and the baking soda, then add the boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes to cool.

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the sugar and butter, until light and fluffy then add the egg and the vanilla, mix until combined.

Add the dates and any water left in the bowl, mix on low.

Add the dry ingredients, the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt, mix on low until just combined. Stir in the walnuts.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a cake tester or skewer comes out clean.If the top is getting too brown tent it with foil.

Remove from oven, place on wire rack to cool. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes and them remove and let completely cool.

• Author: Elizabeth
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 45-55
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American