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The Best Moist, Old-Fashioned Date Nut Bread: An Easy Quick Bread Recipe

Two moist slices of date nut bread, rich brown in color, packed with visible dates and chopped nuts.
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Follow this simple recipe to bake an irresistibly moist date nut bread with a tender crumb and rich, nostalgic flavor. This easy quick bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or holiday gifting.

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 granulated 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 or pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard 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 sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the softened date mixture (including the liquid) and the chopped nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  8. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
  9. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For the most moist date nut bread, do not skip soaking the dates in the hot water and baking soda mixture; this hydrates them perfectly.
  • This bread is excellent served warm with butter or cream cheese.
  • Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil; it keeps well at room temperature for several days or freezes well for later enjoyment.
  • You can substitute pecans for walnuts if you prefer a different nut flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/date-nut-bread-moist-easy-quick-recipe/