1947 Date Nut Bread Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED DATE NUT BREAD

Steps:

• You will need two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 metal loaf pans. For glass loaf pans of the same size, reduce the oven temperature for baking by 25 degrees F. *See Note 2 below for information on using other pan sizes.
• Preheat oven to 350F (regular bake/not fan assisted).
• Grease the loaf pans lightly, then line with parchment paper, covering the bottom and the long sides and extending over the edges a couple of inches, to use as handles to remove the loaves later.
• Soak the dates: Add the chopped dates to a medium bowl. Pour boiling water overtop and stir in baking soda. baking soda. Let stand 10-15 minutes, to both soften the dates and to allow the liquid to cool before adding to the batter..
• Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together, the flour, baking powder, salt and chopped walnuts or pecans. Set aside.
• Make the batter: In a large bowl with an electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar, until light, about 2 minutes. Add the beaten eggs, vanilla and molasses. Beat until well combined, scraping down the bowl a couple of times, as needed. *Do a quick check of the date mixture and make sure it isn't hot. A little warm is fine, but not hot, as you don't want to cook the egg in the batter. Add the date mixture (with any liquid in the bowl) and mix in on low speed (so it doesn't splash), until combined.
• Add the flour mixture to the batter and mix in on low speed, mixing just until combined. Divide batter between prepared loaf pans.
• Bake the loaves in 350F oven for 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours or until tester inserted in the centre of the loaf comes out clean. Note that baking times will vary, depending on oven and baking pans used. Check regularly after 1 hour of baking and start testing when it looks like it is nearing done.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift out of the pan and remove to a wire rack, carefully removing the parchment paper. Allow to cool almost completely before slicing.

DATE NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3 inch loaf pan.
• Put the dates, walnuts, baking soda, salt and shortening in a bowl. Pour the boiling water over and stir. Let the mixture stand for 15 minutes.
• Using a fork, beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl. Add the flours and stir; the batter will be too stiff to mix well. Add the date mixture and mix briskly until the batter is well blended. Spoon into the loaf pan and bake 40 to 50 minutes. Check the loaf often; it is done when a few moist crumbs cling to a straw inserted in the middle of the loaf. The bread will continue to bake after it is removed from the oven. Do not overbake, or the loaf will be dry.
• When the loaf is done, slide a knife around the edges of the pan and turn the loaf onto a rack to cool completely. This bread freezes well.

1947 DATE NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Combine the first three ingredients in a bowl, cover and let cool.
• Grease a loaf pan.
• Sift dry ingredients together.
• Beat sugar and egg together and add to dates, alternatively with the sifted ingredients.
• Dredge nuts in a small amount of flour and stir into batter.
• Pour into prepared pan, let rise for 20 minutes.
• While batter is rising, preheat oven to 325°F.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
• Turn out onto cooling rack to cool.
• Serve sliced very thin for sandwiches, spread with cream cheese or butter.

DATE NUT BREAD (PRE-1940'S)

Steps:

• Beat eggs add sugar.
• Add nut meats broken and dates cut in pieces.
• Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with milk to first mixture.
• Turn into greased pan.
• Bka e350 degrees for 45 minutes.

GRANDMA'S DATE-NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Put raisins in a bowl. Pour boiling water over raisins; soak until raisins have flavored the water, about 20 minutes. Drain raisins, reserving the water. Discard raisins.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan with butter.
• Bring reserved water to a boil in a small saucepan. Measure 3/4 cup boiling water into a bowl. Stir baking soda into water.
• Put dates and prunes in a large bowl. Pour baking soda-water over dates and prunes; add unsalted butter and stir until melted. Stir sugar and vanilla extract into the fruit mixture; let cool to room temperature.
• Stir egg into the fruit mixture to evenly coat. Mix flour and salt together in a small bowl; add to fruit mixture and stir. Fold walnuts into the mixture and pour into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 65 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

DATE NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Combine baking soda with the boiling water. Soak the dates in the water and baking soda solution for 30 minutes.
• Cream sugar and butter together. Add eggs, vanilla, dates, nuts, flour, and salt.
• Divide batter equally between two 9 x 5 (or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2) inch greased loaf pans. Bake 1 hour at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) (or until loaf tests done). Can be frozen when cool.

MOIST DATE NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees F). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• In a medium bowl, combine the dates and butter. Pour boiling water over them, and let stand until cool.
• When the dates have cooled, stir the mixture to break up any clumps. Mix in the brown sugar and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; stir into the date mixture until just blended. Stir in walnuts. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.