Date Nut Bread Pre 1940's

Step back in time with this classic Date Nut Bread recipe, a nostalgic treat inspired by pre-1940s baking traditions. This moist and flavorful loaf combines the natural sweetness of softened chopped dates with the rich, nutty crunch of walnuts or pecans, perfectly balanced by a hint of vanilla. A touch of baking soda softens the dates in boiling water, creating a tender texture that’s effortlessly blended with a light batter of flour, sugar, butter, and a single egg. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea, this vintage recipe comes together with minimal effort and bakes to golden perfection in just under an hour. Serve slices warm with butter or cream cheese for a comforting and timeless indulgence. Give this easy-to-make heirloom recipe a place in your kitchen today!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Chopped dates
• 1 cup Boiling water
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
• 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 9x5-inch loaf pan and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the chopped dates, boiling water, and baking soda. Stir well and allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the lightly beaten egg and mix until fully combined.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the soaked date mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped nuts and vanilla extract until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Step 9

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Step 10

Serve plain, or with a smear of butter or cream cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(866.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2322.4

Total Fat 70.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 248mg	0%
Sodium 2368.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 408.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.7g	0%
Total Sugars 246.6g
Protein 37.8g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 193.2mg	0%
Iron 12.6mg	0%
Potassium 1550.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.3%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 67.5%