Orange Date Nut Bread - Master Cookbook Recipe # 147

Name: Orange Date Nut Bread - Master Cookbook Recipe # 147
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 1 loaf pan
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped dates; 1/2 cup boiling water; 1 large orange (peeled and sliced); 1 large egg; 3 Tbsp salted butter (room temperature); 3/4 cup sugar (see Tammy’s Tip for a sweeter version); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup chopped pecans; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt

This recipe uses a clever technique by blending the whole orange and soaked dates together, which distributes the moisture and bright citrus flavor evenly throughout the loaf. Because it uses less sugar than a typical "quick bread," it has a more traditional, rustic bread profile that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee.

This is recipe #147 in Tammy’s Master Cookbook.

Prep time: 15 minCook time: 1 hr Total time: 1 hr 15 min

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Ingredients

1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup boiling water
1 large orange (peeled and sliced)
1 large egg
3 Tbsp salted butter (room temperature)
3/4 cup sugar (see Tammy’s Tip for a sweeter version)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Soak Dates: Boil 1/2 cup of water (the microwave works great for this) and pour it over your chopped dates. Set them aside to soften.
Cream: In a large bowl, mix the egg, softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Blend Fruit: Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend the softened dates (with their soaking water) and the sliced orange until smooth.
Combine: Stir the fruit mixture into your egg and butter mixture.
Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix well.
Fold & Bake: Fold in the chopped pecans. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, filling it about three-quarters of the way up.
Cook: Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Test: Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, your bread is ready!

Notes

Tammy’s Tip: "Remember, this is a bread, so it's not going to be sugary-sweet like a dessert cake. If you've got a sweet tooth and want it more like a cake, just increase that sugar to 1 1/2 cups and turn your oven down to 325°F. Either way you make it, that orange and date combination is just delicious!"