In my quest to find nut free breads for the kids to take to school for snack time, I decided this week I was going to try my hand at a Date Loaf. I love dates, so it seemed like a good one to try next! If the boys didn’t like it, I would get to enjoy it all myself :)
When I searched for a recipe I was overwhelmed with options, and while the ingredient lists were reasonably similar, the methods were all quite different.
As regular readers will know, I’m all for easy when it comes to baking, and I was keen to find something that was as close to a ‘one bowl’ recipe as I could! I didn’t quite manage that, but by reading lots of recipes and finding the common themes, I adapted/combined a couple of different recipes – and hoped for the best!
I had also seen a recommendation to soak the dates in tea or coffee, rather than just water, so (being a big fan of tea!), I went for the tea suggestion.
The result was a rich, moist bread, although I would probably add a bit more cinnamon/spice, and definitely at least another ounce of butter, the next time.
You will need:
8oz (225g) pitted dates, roughly chopped (I used scissors to do this)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (240ml) boiling water
1 tea bag (ordinary black tea)
2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (110g) light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350F/175C.
In a large bowl mix the chopped dates with the baking soda and the butter (I roughly sliced it as I added it). Add tea bag to boiling water and allow to stew for a couple of minutes. Remove tea bag and pour water over dates. Allow to cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a bowl and mix together.
Whisk the egg with the vanilla extract.
Fold the flour mixture and the beaten egg into the dates and mix well.
Pour into a greased loaf tin.
Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack to cool fully.
Slice and enjoy!
Lovely looking loaf hon :) Thanks for introducing me to another fab linky xx
It’s a great linky – it’s encouraging me to bake something new every week :) The boys are loving it!
I love the sound of the tea in this one. Dates are my favourite dried fruit, they are great in cooking. Pinning this recipe. Thank you #TastyTuesday
I think the tea really added to the richness of the loaf. I would definitely add more spice the next time, and maybe an ounce oro so more butter. Thanks for pinning!
I must try this we always have so many dates in the house!
It is very tasty :)
I love dates and definitely like the look of that loaf. It would go down well warm with butter and a cuppa :-).xx
Definitely – perfect with a cuppa :)
Oh wow, this is so up my street (damn you low carb diet)…will be making this for the husband! Thanks so much for liniking up to #tastytuesdays
Thanks :) I was pleased with it! Thanks for hosting x
Yum! My Gran used to use tea in her recipe and I lost it years ago, this seems very similar so can’t wait to try it…thanks for sharing, now I want a slice ;)
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it :)
your loaf cakes always rise so well and look so well made! i bet this was lovely and sticky and moist x
Oh, thank you! They are such a quick and easy thing to bung in the oven, and the boys love them :)
This looks like a real winner! I love dates and ‘easy’ baking.
Thanks Kriss, I was pleased with this one!
not a lover of dates…but still, i just want a slice of this with a good old cuppa!
It’s lovely with lashings of butter and a cup of tea :)
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