One Dozen Girls

Last Tuesday was National Date Nut Bread Day. I’ve made lots of different tea breads, but never this one. I thought I’d have a go. This was the first recipe I found that didn’t involve things you’ll never find in my kitchen, like coffee or brandy.

Date Nut Loaf

1 cup dates, pitted and chopped

 1 cup water

 1/2 cup butter

 1 cup sugar

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 1 1/2 cups flour

 1 egg, beaten

 1 teaspoon vanilla

 1 cup chopped walnuts

In a small saucepan, bring dates and water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in butter and sugar. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla, then flour and baking soda. Fold in nuts. Pour into buttered 9x5” loaf pan. Bake at 350F for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out and finish cooling on rack.