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?
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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!
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, and Caramel Ginger Date Cake!
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!
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.
FAQ
Both medjool and deglet noor dates would work beautifully in this recipe. Check out my section discussing these types of dates above!
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.
If you'd prefer not to use/don't have the orange liqueur, substitute with an equal measure of orange juice.
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.
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.
I hope you'll make this bread and enjoy it as much as I do! The flavors are bright and warm--just perfect on a cold Winter day! <3
Other Recipes You May Like:
Recipe adapted from Ina Garten (link here).
Moist Date Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups dates, pitted and coarsley chopped (I used medjool dates; about 10 oz. pitted)
- ⅓ cup orange liqueur (I used Triple Sec)
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick)
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1-2 oranges)
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 2-3 oranges)
- raw sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the dates and orange liqueur in a small bowl. Set aside for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 8.5"x 4.5"x 4.5" loaf pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt). Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter and bown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest and mix to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again, if necessary.
- With the mixer running on low, add half the dry ingredients, followed by the orange juice, then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated, then fold in the date/orange liqueur mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with raw sugar, if desired. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool bread in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.
Jenn
My family really enjoyed this! Loved having a slice of this bread with my coffee in the morning!
Amee
Aw, thank you for your comment, Jenn! Sooo happy you love this recipe as much as I do!
Laura
Lovely flavors! Perfect with a cup of tea.
Amee
So happy you enjoyed the recipe, Laura! Thanks so much for your review!
Tom Sturgis
Thank you! My Grandma's been gone so long, she made the best - well - everything was the best coming out of her kitchen! Grandma always said, "It tastes better when it's made with love." I've been missing her date bread which was always darker and baked without nuts because I'm deathly allergic to them. She'd bake her bread loaves in tall soup cans rather than bread pans; the loaves were always so moist but that didn't matter because the batch would be gone in two or three days! What a treasure to find a date bread recipe without nuts, so one doesn't have to bother with substitutes.