American Spiced Date Loaf Recipes

VINTAGE RECIPE: GRANDMOTHER'S DATE BREAD

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup water into a small pot and bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, stir in dates, soda, and butter.
• Reduce heat, and simmer until dates are very soft, about 20 minutes.
• Use a fork to mash date mixture into a paste. It does not need to be perfectly smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Combine flour, baking powder and raisins in a separate bowl.
• When dates have cooled, stir in beaten egg and ½ cup hot water.
• Add flour to date mixture and stir until combined.
• Pour into well-greased 6.5" x 4" x 2" loaf pan and bake at 325 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
• A standard-sized loaf pan can also be used, but will create a flat loaf. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.

GRANDMA EMMA'S SPICE LOAF

Steps:

• Soak raisins in coffee until plump. Do not drain.
• Cream together the shortening, sugar and eggs. Blend in molasses and vanilla.
• In a large bowl mix together the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, flour, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl.
• Add the liquid ingredients to the well in the dry ingredients. Stir in coffee with raisins and nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree F(175 degrees C) oven for one hour.

DATE NUT LOAF CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring dates and water to a boil. Stir in 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar until melted. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Place date mixture into a large bowl. Blend in flour, eggs and vanilla. Stir in chopped walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Serve slices with Warm Sauce.
• To make Warm Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup butter with cream and brown sugar. Heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and sugar is dissolved.

DATE NUT SPICE BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pan.
• Combine the dates and orange liqueur in a small bowl and set aside for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl. With the mixer on low, add the egg, vanilla, and orange zest. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. With the mixer still on low, add the flour mixture alternately with the orange juice to the creamed mixture, beating only until combined. By hand, stir in the dates with their liquid, and the pecans.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese, sugar, and orange zest on medium speed until just combined.
• Slice the bread and serve with the orange cream cheese on the side for spreading.

AMERICAN SPICED DATE LOAF

Steps:

• In a ceramic or glass bowl, place the sugar, dates and water. Microwave until brought to the boil (this will depend on the make of your microwave), but 2-3 minutes is "normal". Set this aside to cool. While cooling grease and line your loaf tin and turn on your oven to 180oC.
• Beat your egg in a separate bowl (a large one).
• Add the cooled mixture and vanilla to the egg then add the sifted flour and spices. Add the nuts here if you are using them and mix well.
• Place in your prepared loaf tin and bake for 30 -35 minutes (or until cooked when tested with a skewer).
• Cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes, turn onto a wire rack. Best served warm with lashings of butter.

SPICED FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Soak the dried fruits in the orange juice for about 30 mins, then sieve, reserving the juice.
• Put the flour, yeast, caster sugar and 1 tsp salt into a large mixing bowl with the spices and soaked fruit and mix well. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm milk, reserved orange juice, the beaten egg and the melted butter. Mix everything together to form a dough - start with a wooden spoon and finish with your hands. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water; if it's too wet, add more flour.
• Knead in the bowl or on a floured surface until the dough becomes smooth and springy. Transfer to a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover loosely with a clean, damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to rise until roughly doubled in size - this will take about 1 hr depending on how warm the room is.
• Knock the dough back by kneading for a few secs. Dust 2 x 2lb loaf tins with flour. Halve the dough. Use a little flour to help you shape each half into a smooth oval, then pop them into the tins. Cover both loosely with a clean, damp tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Bake for 20 mins, then cool in the tins before turning out and slicing.