Date Nut Bread

Alan in SW Florida's Note:

This is a wonderfully rich bread that I always make around the holidays...but it is so tasty, you should make it year round. The spices and dates go together deliciously! Date Nut Bread is a great afternoon or evening snack, served with butter or cream cheese. If you want a richer flavor, you could always throw in a cupful of chocolate chips or raisins (I'm kind of a date nut bread purist, so I don't), and, of course, chopped pecans can be substituted for the walnuts. This cake-like bread is very simple to make and very delicious to eat! :)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 16

Yield: 1.0 loaf

• 1 (8 ounce) package pitted dates, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, combine the dates and boiling water; let cool to room temperature.
3. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and allspice.
4. In a large bowl, beat together the egg, sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. Add the date mixture, beating to combine. Fold in flour mixture and stir until completely mixed. Add nuts. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 1 hour or until done. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool. Cut into slices and serve with butter or cream cheese.