Date Nut Spice Bread

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Say It with Food

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (18)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(18)

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
Heidi Snohomish, WA 11-21-2009
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labor intensive not worth the time
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I'm not sure what the big rave is over this bread. It took entirely to long and was just o.k. to taste. I won't be making... it again : (Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
kim mcallen, TX 07-26-2009
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Great Basic Recipe,(one to have fun with) Spictacular
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Wow,I will make this for any occasion! Thanls Ina!
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
jamie kennesaw, GA 07-04-2009
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Alcohol Substitions in Cooking
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Delia, Try using orange juice concentrate or orange juice with orange extract. In my opinion this would work just fine. ... Bon appetit ! There are some helpful suggestions here: http://whatscookingamerica.net/alcoholsub.htm and here: http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--904/alcohol-substitutions.asp Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
Delia Manteca, CA 07-04-2009
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Sounds delicious but have a question
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

This recipe sounds delicious but I don't want to use the liqueur. I don't have it in the house for personal family reasons. ... Can you tell me what I can use as a subsitute? I would love to make this recipe!Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
Chris Middle Village, NY 07-02-2009
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Sounds good. My mouth was watering.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I didn' t make this recipe yet. But I am considering making this. There was a comment by another member Chris from SC which I... think I can figure out why your bread took longer. Some ovens are different and because of that, sometimes effects baking and cooking times. I know this because I've made the same recipe(not this one) but in two different ovens. One took longer. I hope I was able to shed some light upon your experience.Read more
recipe Date Nut Spice Bread
Deborah Bridgeport, WV 07-01-2009
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A little too spicey
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This is a very good spice bread with dates. I have another date recipe that uses orange juice and zest that I think is... better and will make it next time. This is a very moist bread, but I would prefer more orange flavor and less spice.Read more