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Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Baked Goods » Breads

Date Nut Loaf

Published: May 20, 2016 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Sep 27, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

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Pinterest pin with 2 photos of date nut loaf on top and bottom and white text on brown background in the middle

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. 

a slice of date loaf on a white plate with whole date loaf in the background (partially sliced) and sliced lemons on the side

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?" I was 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.

🥘Ingredients

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:

  • dates
  • boiling water
  • unsalted butter
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking soda
  • sugar
  • egg
  • vanilla extract
  • pecans 
  • fresh lemon juice

*see recipe card for quantities

Old fashioned Date Nut Loaf | #dateloaf #oldfashioneddateloaf - Foodmeanederings.com

📖Variations & Substitutions

  • Nuts- you can substitute walnuts for pecans
  • Sugar - you could substitute brown sugar for the white sugar

🍽Equipment

This date nut bread recipe requires a 9X5 loaf pan. You an use a metal loaf pan or a glass pan However, if you plan to double the recipe and freeze one of the loaves, it's handy to use a loaf pan with a lid, so you can just pop it into the freezer once it's cooled. You'll also need a sharp knife- ideally a bread knife. (affiliate links)

👪Serving Size

This 10 servings. However, you can double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You'll just need additional 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.

💭Top Tip

Don't slice this date loaf cake 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.

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!

And if you still want to take carrot loaf to the party as well, here is a fantastic Healthy Carrot Loaf Recipe

healthy carrot loaf sliced on a cutting board

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this date loaf and love it? Please leave a 5 star rating below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

date nut loaf slice on white plate with remainder of loaf and sliced lemons in background
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📋 Date Nut Loaf Recipe

A simple, yet delicious traditional date nut loaf that has been passed on for 6 generations. You'll want to take this loaf to the party!
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Canadian, North American
Keyword: bread, date, loaf, nut
Special Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 271kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

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 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (you can subsitute walnuts)
  • 3 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
US Customary - Metric

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, egg and nuts to the cooled date mixture.
  • Add vanilla extract, then dry ingredients 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

*Please see post contents for important recipe information, substitutions and tips!
 
Nutrition Facts
📋 Date Nut Loaf Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 271 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 22mg7%
Sodium 154mg7%
Potassium 167mg5%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 100IU2%
Vitamin C 0.7mg1%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 271kcal (14%) | Carbohydrates: 42g (14%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 10g (15%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Cholesterol: 22mg (7%) | Sodium: 154mg (7%) | Potassium: 167mg (5%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 24g (27%) | Vitamin A: 100IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 0.7mg (1%) | Calcium: 19mg (2%) | Iron: 1.4mg (8%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sue Slaght

    May 20, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    I LOVE the title of this post Terri. As creative as the recipe. 🙂

    Reply
    • Food Meanderings

      May 20, 2016 at 10:38 pm

      Thanks Sue- haha.. I guess that's just how I have thought of it all these yrs!

      Reply
  2. nowelparsons

    May 25, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Date load is very nostalgic for me, it conjures up the memory of all the delicious comfort food that my grandmother baked. MMmmmmm I think I'll pick up some dates the next time at Co-op !

    Reply
    • Food Meanderings

      May 25, 2016 at 7:11 pm

      Glad that it brings up such good memories for you, Nowel! Enjoy...

      Reply
  3. Bernice

    September 08, 2017 at 9:31 am

    Terri, thank you so much for sharing this treasured (time tested) family recipe! I've never had date loaf, can you believe it?! I've never been a fan of date squares (matrimonial squares) probably because they are so messy haha! but I do love dates! Date and prunes...sometimes I think I'm twice my age, lol.
    PS> this loaf is definitely NOT ugly! Love it!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      September 08, 2017 at 9:16 pm

      Hi Bernice- thanks! I hated date squares too, until I tried my grandma's recipe. That's what convinced me to try this.
      Haha.. I hear ya' - love dates and prunes as well!

      Reply
  4. Shareba

    September 08, 2017 at 10:31 pm

    Date nut loaf actually sounds really delicious to me, lol. I love dates! I want to have a slice of this with a hot cup of tea 🙂

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      September 09, 2017 at 8:26 am

      Hi Shareba- Thanks! If you love dates, then you'll love it for sure - it's super easy to make 🙂

      Reply
  5. Susanne

    January 27, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    This is a super recipe!! Made it for a coffee break at the club I go to and there wasn't any to left to bring home. I cut the sugar to 1/2 cup and it was still plenty sweet enough. Thanks for posting this Terri.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      January 27, 2018 at 9:09 pm

      I’m so happy to hear it was a hit, Susanne! I will try cutting the sugar too!-always a bonus to cut sugar!

      Reply
      • Anne

        January 25, 2022 at 6:53 am

        I love this recipe. I made with dates, yummy. Had lots of prunes so, cut them up instead of dates and it was also yummy. A great way to use up my prunes.

        Reply
        • Terri Gilson

          January 31, 2022 at 6:34 pm

          That's great, Anne! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!!

          Reply
  6. Laura

    April 03, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    I am crazy about nut bread. Can't wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 04, 2020 at 7:30 am

      Thanks, Laura! Me too.

      Reply
  7. Anne Lawton

    April 04, 2020 at 12:18 pm

    we love breads like these, and now have plenty of time to bake. Saving this recipe to make during the week.

    Reply
  8. Eileen Kelly

    April 04, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    I love this date nut bread. The family loves quick breads and this one was a big hit.I love how easy it is to make and tastes delicious!

    Reply
  9. Sue Ringsdorf

    April 04, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    Dates are a great way to sweeten a recipe naturally, which is why I love this recipe SO much. Thanks for sharing, Terri!

    Reply
  10. Carlos Leo

    April 04, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    I really want to taste this recipe. I have a bunch of dates and I better use it asap with your recipe. Delicious!

    Reply
  11. Caroline

    April 04, 2020 at 10:21 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. colleen kennedy

    April 05, 2020 at 7:57 am

    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!

    Reply
  13. Ariella

    April 05, 2020 at 10:27 pm

    Love that there are chunks of dates & nuts in this.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 07, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      Yes, it's healthy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Sheila

        December 12, 2020 at 10:04 am

        What size loaf pan are you using please?

        Reply
        • Terri Gilson

          December 12, 2020 at 11:38 am

          Hi Sheila,
          I use a 9X5X3 loaf pan.
          Terri

          Reply
  14. Kerrieann

    April 17, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    I am looking forward to making this for my mom. No baking powder needed? Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 17, 2020 at 6:01 pm

      Hi Kerriann - nope - just ingredients as listed! It works 🙂 Enjoy...

      Reply
  15. Maria

    September 19, 2020 at 10:31 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      September 20, 2020 at 7:38 am

      I'm glad you like it, Maria! I need to make it again - it's been a while!

      Reply

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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