Old-Fashioned Date Nut Bread
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This old-fashioned date nut bread is a rich, comforting loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. It’s sweetened naturally with dates, has a tender crumb, and gets a subtle depth of flavor from hot coffee. If you’ve been searching for a classic date nut bread recipe that’s simple yet incredibly satisfying, this is the one.
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Why This Date Nut Bread Recipe Works
- The soft dates provide natural sweetness and keep the loaf moist.
- Nuts add crunch and balance the sweet, earthy flavor.
- It’s a simple bake that is great for gifting or freezing.
- Perfect for a snack, breakfast with a cup of coffee!
Nutritional Benefits of Date Bread
- Dates are naturally high in dietary fiber, which supports digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels. This makes date bread a satisfying option that can help curb cravings and promote gut health.
- Packed with vitamins & minerals including iron which supports healthy blood cells and prevents anemia. Potassium & magnesium help regulate blood pressure and support heart health and B6 helps increased cognitive function to a boost in mood.
- Dates are rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in protecting your body from oxidative stress and inflammation. Think of it as you’re adding a layer of cellular defense!
- While dates aren’t a major source of protein, they can still contribute to your daily intake, especially when paired with other protein-rich foods like nuts in our date bread.
What You Need for This Old-Fashioned Date Bread
Ingredients for a Classic Date Nut Bread
- 2 cups Medjool dates, chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup hot coffee or boiling water (coffee enhances the flavor)
- 1 large egg or 1 flax egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
How to Make This Easy Date Nut Bread
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment and spray lightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped dates, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, and melted butter.
- Pour hot coffee over the mixture. Stir and let it sit for 15 minutes to soften the dates.
- Stir in the egg and vanilla. Add baking powder and mix again.
- Fold in flour just until combined. Don’t overmix.
- Gently stir in the nuts. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes. Tent with foil if the top starts to brown too quickly. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Storing This Date Nut Bread
- Once your loaf is fully cooled, store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment and sealed in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Warm slices in the microwave or toaster oven before serving.
How to Customize Your Date Nut Bread Recipes
- Make it vegan: Use a flax egg and dairy-free butter or sub the eggs with bananas.
- Sugar swap: Try coconut sugar or monk fruit in place of brown sugar.
- Gluten-free version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Whole wheat option: Sub in white whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Top this bread with a delicious cream cheese frosting for a delicious bite!
FAQs About Homemade Date Nut Bread
Can I use bagged chopped dates?
Yes, but make sure they’re soft. If dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain.
What’s the best nut to use?
Pecans or walnuts are the classics, but almonds or hazelnuts also work well.
Do I have to use coffee?
No. Hot water works too, but coffee deepens the flavor beautifully in this homemade date nut bread.
Final Thoughts on This Date Nut Bread Recipe
This date nut bread is a true classic. It’s the kind of bake that brings back memories of home, holidays, and slow mornings. It’s just as good for a quiet treat as it is for sharing. It delivers rich flavor and texture while being easy to make.
Follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for recipe updates, baking tips, and lots of sweet inspiration.
More Quick Breads to Try
- Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread
- Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
- Super Easy Banana Bread Recipe!
- Easy Blueberry Banana Bread
- Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Bread
Date Nut Bread
Ingredients
DATE NUT BREAD RECIPE
- 2 cups Medjool dates chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup hot coffee or boiling hot water
- 1 large egg or 1 flax egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts,, chopped
Instructions
Instructions How to Make Date Nut Bread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and set loaf pan aside.
- Add the chopped dates, baking soda, salt, brown sugar and melted butter to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the coffee or hot water to the date mixture and stir everything together. Let mixture set for 15 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and combine, then whisk in the baking powder.
- Fold in the flour using a rubber spatula combining everything together without overmixing the bread mixture.
- Fold the nuts into the batter.
- Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45-55 minutes. If bread is getting too dark, loosely add tin foil to cover the top of the bread. I added foil the last 15 minutes of baking the bread. Check bread with a toothpick and insert it into the middle of the bread. If it comes out wet, continue baking longer. If it comes out clean or with moist crumbs, it's done baking.
- Remove bread from oven and let it cool. So rich & moist!
