Description
Warm, spiced Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread delivers comfort straight from a rustic kitchen. Hearty dates and crunchy walnuts mingle in a rich, moist loaf that promises delightful moments with each tender slice you savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 cup (240 ml) pitted and chopped Medjool dates
- 1 cup (120 g) coarsely chopped walnuts
Dry Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 g) whole wheat flour
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) vegetable shortening, measured solid
- ¾ cup (180 ml) boiling water
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat an 8.5 x 4.5 x 3-inch loaf pan with either butter or non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage for easy bread removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped dates, walnuts, baking soda, and salt. Add vegetable shortening in small portions. Pour boiling water over the ingredients and mix thoroughly, allowing the shortening to melt. Allow the mixture to rest for 15 minutes, which helps soften the dates and meld the flavors.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and sugar together until the mixture becomes smooth and develops a lighter, more aerated appearance.
- Gently incorporate whole wheat and all-purpose flours into the egg mixture. Expect the batter to be dense with potential small lumps, which is normal and desirable for texture.
- Merge the date-walnut mixture with the flour mixture, stirring carefully to create a uniform batter. Avoid overmixing to maintain the bread’s delicate structure. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to create an even surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge with minimal moist crumbs or completely clean.
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This date nut bread serves as a delectable accompaniment to morning coffee or an afternoon snack.
Notes
- Elevate your baking skills with this rustic date nut bread that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
- Boiling water softens dates, creating an incredibly moist texture that guarantees a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Whole wheat flour adds nutritional depth and a subtle nutty complexity that sets this bread apart from ordinary quick breads.
- Freezing allows you to preserve the bread’s fresh-baked magic for up to three months, wrapped securely in freezer-safe packaging.
- Serving suggestions include spreading warm slices with creamy butter or cream cheese for an indulgent breakfast or afternoon treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg