This amazing traditional date loaf recipe came from my Grandma. Actually, it came from my Grandma's Great Grandma, so it's a 6th generation recipe! But I know what you're thinking - Date Nut Loaf doesn't sound particularly enticing. I used to agree.
For me, it had always had an association with funerals- something you could expect to be served at a wake. And some may even consider it to be the ugly sister of Carrot Bread. You know, the loaf you'd grudgingly make if you were out of carrots, had to make a loaf and only had dates on hand.
But trust me, it just has a bad rap that is completely unwarranted. You'll want to take this loaf to the party! Well, I finally tried making this loaf because my grandma was always telling me how great it was and I kept thinking, "But it's date loaf, how could it be?" But given how delicious her date slice is, I decided to try it. And I was completely BLOWN AWAY by how great this date loaf is!!!
This date bread is a simple, yet delicious traditional recipe that has been passed on for 6 generations. It has since changed every notion I ever had about date bread. In fact, it is the best I have ever had! Although, I have to admit that I've tweaked the recipe ever so slightly because, well, I just can't help myself.
🥘Ingredient Notes
6 generations later...
I used pecans because I think they give this date and nut loaf a nice flavor, but walnuts can be substituted. But it's the fresh lemon juice that really makes this loaf sing! And butter of course- butter always makes everything better.
The point is that this loaf is made with real ingredients - the same ingredients that were around 6 generations ago. It is so comforting to know that my own grandma's great-grandma was cooking the very same recipe over a century ago- it's such a special connection to the past.
For this recipe, you'll need:
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Nuts- you can substitute walnuts for pecans
- Sugar - you could substitute brown sugar for the white sugar
- Lemon juice - you can use lemon juice from concentrate (but only use 1 tsp)
🔪How to Make Date and Nut Loaf
PREP: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) and spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine chopped dates, butter, and boiling water until butter melts. Cool. TIP: *If your dates are a little dried out, you can rehydrate them by putting them into the boiling water, whole, then taking them out and chopping them AFTER the mixture cools.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, sift flour and baking soda (dry ingredients) together in a separate bowl.
- Step 3: Add sugar and egg to the cooled date mixture.
- Step 4: Add vanilla extract and pecans.
- Step 5: Then add dry ingredients to the date mixture.
- Step 6: Add lemon juice last and stir until combined.
- Step 7: Pour batter into a prepared pan. *Immediately put into oven.
- Step 8: Bake for approximately 50- 60 minutes in preheated oven (or until cake tester or toothpick comes out clean and loaf is lightly browned on the outside) . Cool on a wire rack
Recipe Tips
- Make sure you put your bread into the oven immediately after mixing so it doesn't lose its rise.
- When you are cutting this date nut bread, wait until it cools completely and use a serrated knife (bread knife) to slice it.
- Don't slice this date & nut loaf until you are ready the eat it. And once you slice into it, only cut each piece as you need it, as slicing it dries it out more quickly.
- If you do slice it before storing it, make sure to cover the exposed pieces with plastic wrap.
🥗 What to serve with Date Nut Bread
This date loaf is great with a cup of coffee, tea, or milk for a morning or afternoon snack. It makes a great breakfast or dessert and is perfect for taking along to a breakfast potluck or in the lunch bag.
I also love to serve date bread with this Classic fruit salad (shown below), Roasted Red Pepper Egg White Bites, Air Fryer Turkey Sausages, and Mediterranean Weight Watchers Crustless Quiche!
👪Serving Size
This 10 servings. However, you can double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You'll just need additional (9x5) loaf pans.
🌡️Storing
I often double this old fashioned date nut bread recipe, make 2 of these loaves, and store one in the freezer in a large Ziplock freezer bag. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. This loaf will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
So simple, but beyond delicious...testimony to the fact that this easy date nut bread has lived on for 6 generations! And you don't even have to love dates to love this light and fluffy old fashioned date nut bread. It's ideal for enjoying on your morning coffee break or with a cup of hot tea!
❔ Date Nut Bread FAQ's
Quick breads use chemical leavening agents (baking soda and baking powder) and they don't require time to rise, as the agent reacts when combined with the liquid and starts to work immediately. If you let the batter sit, that reaction will be lost before it goes into the oven and you will lose rising power.
Honestly, I use the Noname brand dates (they don't even say what type they are on the bag) and my date loaf has always tasted amazing! But Deglet Noor Dates are considered the best for baking, as they have a nutty taste, and firm texture, and the flavor isn't overwhelming.
So you can rest assured that when you serve this to your family and friends this date quick bread is going to be a hit! And if you still want to take carrot loaf to the party as well, here is a fantastic Healthy Carrot Loaf Recipe!
🍞More Quick Breads
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📋 Date Nut Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted and chopped dates
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans (you can subsitute walnuts)
- 3 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) and spray loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine chopped dates, butter and boiling water until butter melts. Cool.
- Sift flour and baking soda (dry ingredients) together in a separate bowl.
- Add sugar and egg to the cooled date mixture.
- Then vanilla extract and nuts.
- Next add flour mixture to the date mixture.
- Add lemon juice last and stir until combined.
- Pour batter into a prepared pan and bake for approximately 50- 60 minutes in preheated oven (or until cake tester or toothpick comes out clean and loaf is lightly browned on the outside) . Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
-
- Make sure you put your bread into the oven immediately after mixing so it doesn't lose its rise.
-
- When you are cutting this date nut bread, wait until it cools completely and use a serrated knife (bread knife) to slice it.
-
- Don't slice this date & nut loaf until you are ready the eat it. And once you slice into it, only cut each piece as you need it, as slicing it dries it out more quickly.
-
- If you do slice it before storing it, make sure to cover the exposed pieces with plastic wrap.
Maria
I've made this several times. It's easy and delicious. I use brown sugar. We've always got dates on hand and it's much lower in fat than my date squares.
Terri Gilson
I'm glad you like it, Maria! I need to make it again - it's been a while!
Kerrieann
I am looking forward to making this for my mom. No baking powder needed? Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Terri Gilson
Hi Kerriann - nope - just ingredients as listed! It works 🙂 Enjoy...
Ariella
Love that there are chunks of dates & nuts in this.
Terri Gilson
Yes, it's healthy and delicious!
Sheila
What size loaf pan are you using please?
Terri Gilson
Hi Sheila,
I use a 9X5X3 loaf pan.
Terri
colleen kennedy
Can't wait to try this recipe and to smear it with butter (mmmmm), it's so different (and looks amazing)! Thanks for sharing it!
Caroline
I'd disagree, date nut bread sounds just as if not more appealing to me, but then I'm a big date fan. I love that this has been passed down through the generations - shows it passes the tests of time!