Moist Date Bread (no nuts)

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Now that the holidays have passed, it's on to Winter baking, which for me always includes dates. This Date Bread has all the warm, cozy vibes that I'm looking for! The sweet dates, warm spices, and bright orange flavors will make this one a favorite! And...is there really anything better than homemade bread?

A loaf of Date Bread partially sliced on a cooling rack.

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This Date Bread is so moist (sorry not sorry) and flavorful! The dates, brown sugar, spices, and orange zest marry so well, and make the bread *taste* special. I added a sprinkle of raw sugar on top for crunch and a little more sweetness. My kiddos eat the sugared top first, while I save it for last. 🙂

If you enjoy this recipe, check out the posts for my Date Pinwheel Cookies, Blackberry Lemon Bread, and Date Apple Pie!

Top view of Date Bread in a pan with orangews, dates, and cinnamon sticks nearby.

What Dates are Best for Baking?

There are two types of dates that you'll typically see at the grocery store: Medjool and Deglet Noor.

Medjool dates are probably the most common. They're big, soft, and very sweet. They're also very sticky and can be a bit of a pain to chop!

Deglet Noor dates are drier than medjools, but they still chewy and have a lovely flavor. They're a little easier to chop, since they're less sticky.

Either of these types of dates is excellent for baking, though you may want to weigh their differences in sweetness and moisture before choosing for a particular recipe. I reached for medjool dates for my Date Bread because I wanted their additional moisture to help ensure the bread didn't dry out. Though medjool dates are prone to losing their shape and getting squishy, they held up in the bread nicely, even after their soak in triple sec!

If you're a fan of dates (like me!) you'll also want to check out my recipes for Date Swirl Cookies, Apple Date Pie, Caramel Ginger Date Cake, and Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake (which features a date caramel)!

Top view of ingredients to make Date Bread.

Ingredients for Date Bread

Dates - For texture and sweetness.

Flour - Provides structure for the bread. All-purpose flour is what you want to reach for!

Baking Powder & Soda - Provide leavening for the bread.

Spices - The ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves lend a warmness and flavor to the bread.

Salt - Helps to balance and enhance the flavors in the bread.

Unsalted butter - For moisture and richness; unsalted so that you control the amount of salt.

Egg - One large egg, to provide structure, additional leavening, and a little richness.

Vanilla Extract - For even more flavor!

Orange liqueur - For flavor and moisture. (See FAQ's if you'd rather not use alcohol!)

Oranges - you'll use both the zest and the juice in this recipe!

Brown Sugar - For sweetness and a warm molasses flavor.

Raw Sugar - This one is optional, but I love the crunch and sweetness it lends to the top of the bread!

Front view of sliced Date Bread with cinnamon sticks in the foreground.

How to Make Homemade Date Bread

This bread is quick and easy to put together! The lengthiest part of the process is waiting for the dates to soak in the orange liqueur for awhile (30 minutes). If you do this step first, you can prep the rest of the recipe while they soak.

Like most quick breads, this Date Bread is made by the creaming method:

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
Add half the dry ingredients, followed by the orange juice, then the remaining dry ingredients.
Add the date and orange liqueur mixture, and mix until just incorporated.

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Slices of Date Bread on a round plate with the rest of the loaf and a cup of coffee in the background.

FAQ

What kind of dates should I use?

Both medjool and deglet noor dates would work beautifully in this recipe. Check out my section discussing these types of dates above!

What orange liqueur should I use?

I used Triple Sec in my Date Bread, but you can use whatever orange liqueur you prefer or have on-hand. Grand Mariner would work well, as would an orange-flavored vodka.

What if I don't want to use alcohol or don't have it on-hand?

If you'd prefer not to use/don't have the orange liqueur, substitute with an equal measure of orange juice.

Can I add nuts?

Of course! My kiddos are nut-haters, so I leave them out of most things. If you'd like to add nuts to your Date Bread, stir in ¾ cup of coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts when you add the dates.

Does Date Bread store well?

This bread is one of those recipes that is even more flavorful the next day after the flavors have more time to marry! Make sure the bread is wrapped well so it doesn't dry out, and it will keep for several days out on the counter. Alternatively, you can wrap the bread and store in the freezer for a month or more.

What can I put on my bread?

I like to eat this Date Bread all on its own with a cup of coffee. That said, it would be lovely paired with a honey butter or a sweetened orange cream cheese!