book and saw that the bread was in there that my infatuation with it began to swell again. And now, finally, ANOTHER month or so later, I have made the bread. Hallelujah! Being a good Pittsburgh girl, I know the Heinz ketchup mantra of “good things come to those who wait” but man oh man, this is better than good, this is indeed heavenly.
MY OTHER RECIPES
A delicious spiced sweet bread
Ingredients:
- 2cupscoarsely chopped dates(10 ounces pitted)
- 1/3cupCointreau or Triple Sec
- 4tablespoonsunsalted butter, at room temperature((½ stick ))
- ¾cuplight brown sugar(lightly packed)
- 1extra-large egg
- 1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
- 1tablespoongrated orange zest(2 oranges)
- 2cupsall-purpose flour
- 2teaspoonsbaking powder
- ½teaspoonbaking soda
- 1teaspoonground cinnamon
- 1teaspoonground nutmeg
- ¼teaspoonground cloves
- 1teaspoonkosher salt
- ¾cupfreshly squeezed orange juice(3 oranges)
- ¾cupcoarsely chopped pecans(3 ounces)
For the Cream Cheese Spread:
- 6ouncescream cheese(at room temperature)
- 1/3cupgranulated sugar
- 1tablespoongrated orange zest
Directions:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of an 8½ x 4½ x 2½-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pan.
- 2. Combine the dates and Cointreau in a small bowl and set aside for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- 3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with teh 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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.
- 6. Slice the bread and serve with the orange cream cheese on the side for spreading.
Nutrition:
Calories: 569kcal
Fat: 20g
Saturated fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 58mg
Sodium: 445mg
Potassium: 524mg
Carbohydrates: 89g
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 58g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 10.7%
Vitamin C: 16.7%
Calcium: 11.7%
Iron: 14%
I am a big date bread fan. When I first saw the image, I thought it was butter on top, but did not wince, since sometimes one cannot put too much butter on date bread, right? Then I read the recipe for the spread, and thought, “Good grief! That sounds delicious!” I’m going to make some date bread. Thanks.
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Hi… Was wondering if there was any substitute for the alcohol used in the bread?
Hi Libby, Because there is such a large quantity of it (1/3 cup), I wouldn’t straight omit it, but since it is orange-flavored liquor, I would recommend substituting more orange juice.
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Mmm I’m definitely going to have to try this!
That bread look great! I love dates :o)
Thanks for another great recipe! I have this bread in the oven as I’m writing this, it smells so good. I love dates, so I’m always on the lookout for new recipes that includes dates. Happy holidays!
I have a HUGE bag of diced dates to use up (they were really cheap, what can I say) and this will definitely help. Thanks to you and Ina :)
I use a recipe similar to this to make a type of cracker. I chill the loaf very well and slice it really thinly then rebake it like a biscotti. The result is a sweet cracker that lasts forever and is wonderful with cheese, peanut butter or anything. It is great for picnics and back-country skiers and hikers. I will try it with this recipe next time I make them.
I adore dates! Your orange cream cheese spread is absolutely perfect for this bread!
oh delicious!! and adding drunken dates sounds like a wonderful idea!
this is perfect, I have had a large box of dates in my fridge and I needed to find something to do with them! Awesome ~ I’m all over that cream cheese : ) Just found your blog – I love it!
not only perfect looking but looks like one I could make – thanks for sharing this one…
Wow, this looks so yummy. I miss Ina, I haven’t seen her show in ages. I’m usually too afraid to make loaves that involve spices so it’s always nice to see others make it.
Hi Neel – It is fantastic, isn’t it? No, I had the flash forced off the entire time but the sun was coming and going as I was taking the photos.
Absolutely love the date bread. Last time my wide made it, it was absolutely awesome. Did you use flash in the second photograph?
The minute you put cream cheese on it, I started drooling.
The cream cheese topping looks amazing!