Delicious Date Loaf
Delicious Date Loaf
Dates have been used in baking for many, many years, and for some reason over time they slowly became a forgotten ingredient. I know when most people think of dates and desserts, they are immediately taken back to their Grandmother’s kitchens. But I think it’s time to resurrect the date and give it the proper limelight it deserves, especially when it comes to baking. There’s just something absolutely delicious and irresistible about dates in desserts.
Baking with Dates
Dates are nutritious, high in fibre, naturally sweet and very very delicious! Recently I’ve started to add dates to my regular baking pantry checklist. I like to keep at least 1 or 2 blocks on hand for last minute Chewy Date Oat Bar cravings and for times when I want to make this Delicious Date Loaf.
About this date loaf.
This Date Loaf is loaded with dates, making it rich and so moist and tender. In fact, this recipe uses an entire 500 gram brick of dried dates! Delicious. I like to serve this loaf lightly warm with a smathering of butter. I just pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds and eat it for breakfast in the morning with a cup of coffee…so so good.
Date Loaf Recipe Tips
- DATES: The dates that I use to make this loaf are the ones you buy in a block (brick) that you can find in the baking aisle of your grocery store. I buy the 500 gram blocks and use the whole thing for this recipe. You can use whole dates as well.
- MAKE AHEAD TIP: You can cook the dates a few days ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you are ready to use them.
- ADDITIONS: Feel free to add nuts to this recipe. Walnuts or pecans are particularly delicious. I would add 1/2 to 1 cup, depending on how nutty you would like your loaf to be.
- BAKING SODA: Why baking soda with the dates? The baking soda helps to soften the dates by breaking down the pectin, but it also reduces the acidity of them. You don’t even taste it, but make sure you add it!
- BAKING TIME: I have listed the baking time for this recipe as 1 hour and 15 minutes. Sometimes this loaf takes a little longer to bake than I expect, I think because of the dates and how dense they are. I would start checking your loaf at the 1 hour mark and see how it is. I have had to bake some loaves for almost 1 1/2 hours. Use a toothpick inserted into the centre of your cake to check for doneness.
- STORAGE: Keep this loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- FREEZER: This loaf freezes well.
More Date Recipes to Try!
Delicious Date Loaf
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups chopped pitted dates
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a saucepan mix together the chopped dates, water and baking soda. Then over low-medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil, then add the tablespoon of butter. Let simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the dates are soft and mushy. Set aside to cool.1 1/3 cups chopped pitted dates, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp butter
- In a separate bowl sift together the flour and baking powder.2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder
- Using a mixer cream together the egg, brown sugar and vanilla until smooth.1 large egg, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Once the date mixture is cooled, add it to the egg mixture and combine.
- Stir in the flour mix.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Let cool, then serve and enjoy!
If you’re looking for more recipes, make sure to have a look at my collection of Classic Baking Recipes here! Enjoy!
Have a delicious day!
