by Michael P. Clive
December 21, 2010
Date Bread
This is a one-bowl recipe, and one of the easiest quick breads. It makes a wonderful hostess gift, and you can make several at once to freeze and keep on hand.
1 cup (250 mL) Medjool Dates, pitted and chopped (about 10 dates)
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1 cup (250 mL) boiling water
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 egg
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) salt
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
1 ½ cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
½ cup (125 mL) walnuts, chopped
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch (2L) loaf pan or line with parchment paper. Place dates in a large bowl, sprinkle with baking soda and cover with water. Set aside to cool.
Add butter, egg, sugar, salt, vanilla and flour to cooled date mixture, beating well. Stir in walnuts and pour into prepared pan.
Bake for one hour or until tester inserted in centre of loaf comes out clean.
Let stand for 10 minutes, remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.