Date Nut Spice Bread

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Say It with Food

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (31)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(31)

Cook Time:
1 hr 0 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
1 (8-inch) loaf

Times:

Prep: 45 min
Inactive Prep: 40 min
Cook: 1 hr 0 min
Total:: 2 hr 25 min

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Ingredients

2 cups coarsely chopped dates (10 ounces pitted)
1/3 cup orange liqueur (recommended: Cointreau or Triple Sec)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 extra-large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (3 oranges)
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (3 ounces)

Directions

For the cream cheese spread:

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest

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.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
Olga Mt.Vernon, NY 03-02-2010
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Loved it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Thank you, Ina. Its flavorful and yummy!
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
C Forest Falls, CA 03-01-2010
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Pretty good!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I thought this recipe was moist, delicious, and creative. My only caveat is that for me, there is too much salt. It went... slightly beyond buttery tasting to too much salt. Maybe because dates are kinda buttery to begin with. I would make it with 1/8 to 1/2 tsp of kosher salt. When I make banana bread, I use 1/8 tsp of salt - it's just right to enjoy the sweetness of the bread and add a little balance. Otherwise, Fabulous! Looking forward to making again. The nuts were a wonderful addition! I think being that I have a surplus of raisins, I may substitute them and treat them the same as the dates (chopping them too). Thank you, Ina. I always enjoy your shows and your distinctive recipes! Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
Lurlie Marshall, TX 01-15-2010
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Delicious and moist!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I don't need to made this bread again anytime soon because I ate way too much of it! I made a few minor changes to the recipe... including using Tuaca for the liqeur. I didn't even make the cream cheese spread because it tasted so good without it. Would recommend this recipe to anyone.Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
debbie clermont, FL 01-05-2010
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Succeeded Second Time!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this bread twice now(in two days). The first time, it was dry and crumbly as other posts noted. The second time,... I marinated the dates overnight in OJ instead of orange liquor, adding the splash of Iquor right at the end before baking; and added 1/4 C applesauce. The bread turned out perfectly. Sliced up nicely and ev1 loved it! Great recipe! Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
Vicki Matteson, IL 01-04-2010
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Fabulous Bread!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Followed the recipe to the letter. This is the best date nut bread I've ever had. The Orange Cream Cheese Spread really tops... it off beautifully.Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
kay Horseshoe Bay, TX 01-01-2010
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Mild date flavors with orange perfume overtones makes it PERFECT!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Followed directions exactly. The prep time was accurate. Quite a lot of dates but the orange makes it appeal to even those... who are not date lovers. We enjoyed it with the cheese spread. Thank you Ina as always you hit the mark!Read more