This date nut bread recipe is easy, awesome and delicious. This bread is super fun to eat toasted and slathered with cream cheese and there is nothing like it!

When my grandmother Bena used to make this sweet bread, we would all clamor for a piece. There were five of us children in my family and I used to feel like I wasn’t going to get my share.
Of course, I always did, but I LOVED this bread over any other sweet bread she used to make.
It’s delicious, flavorful and good both plain or toasted with butter and cream cheese.
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How to make date nut bread
Pre-step
Liberally grease a bread pan and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also make a cup of coffee and set it aside.
Step one
Cut up the dates and gather the butter and coffee. (A, B)
Step two
In a mixing bowl, place the dates and butter. Pour ½ cup boiled water and ½ cup of coffee and let it sit for 15 minutes. (C in the background)
Step three
Add the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. (C)
Step four
Add egg mixture and dry mixture to the dates and combine with a spatula until just combined.
Fold in walnuts being careful not to over mix.
Step five
Transfer the bread batter to the bread pan. (D)
Step six
Bake for 45 – 50 minutes. Check after 45 minutes because all ovens are different.
Let the bread sit in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it and placing it on a rack to cool fully.
Cut a few slices.
When I have a slice of this date bread, I usually put on some butter or cream cheese. My nana served it with cream cheese.
One of the things I love about this bread, is the texture! The longer it sits waiting to be eaten, the moister it gets. That’s when I toast it.
I hope you enjoyed this date nut bread recipe.
Other popular quick bread recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Delicious Date Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups dates chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup boiled water
- ½ cup hot decaf coffee
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Place dates in medium sized bowl, add butter and pour in boiling water and coffee and let it sit for 15 minutes – to soften and cool
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a bread pan
- In a small bowl, assemble flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda and set aside
- In another small bowl add the egg, vanilla and brown sugar and whisk until incorporated
- Pour the egg mixture over the date mixture and add the dry ingredients. Stir until just incorporated. Do not over mix
- Fold in the walnuts, again being careful not to over mix
- Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 – 50 minutes
- Let cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from pan and transferring the bread to cool on a wire rack
- Slice
- Eat
- Enjoy
Calleigh k
The date nut bread is one of my favorites. It is easy and simple to make yet addictively delicious. My kiddo who is insanely picky can almost finish an entire loaf by himself. No kidding.
Elaine
That’s fun Calleigh! Thanks for the comment!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
I’m adding dates to my grocery list so I can try this. It looks great!
Elaine
Thank you Allison!
Dannii
Oh I adore the flavour of dates, especially in something baked. I want a slice of this covered in butter.
Elaine
Dannii! Thanks, me too!! Mmmm. Butter!
prasanna hede
I love recipes that include dates as you wont need additional refined sugar.this bread is perfect!
Elaine
Thank you, Prasanna!
Jennifer
I’ve been looking for recipes like this lately that use natural sweeteners like dates! Perfect!
Elaine
Thanks Jennifer!!
Laura
I know exactly how you felt, I am the third of 4 and while my sisters were ok my little brother was the most dangerous one. Especially when he hit teenage years. There was never anything left in the fridge if he had gone in before. Foreget, I will save it for later. I love the recipe, dates and nuts are my favourite and I do like your new board. Blue and brown create a great contrast.
Elaine
Thanks Laura!! 🙂
Joyce
This is a fabulous bread. I make your recipe regularly!
Christopher
I actually feel healthy eating this bread. It’s sweet enough to feel like dessert but wholesome enough to feel like part of the meal.
Lisa
Do you think I could add raisins to this?
Elaine
You definitely can Lisa! Go for it and enjoy!
Lisa
Thank you!!
Lisa
Hi again…..one more question. Do you think I should use salted or unsalted butter?
Elaine
I always use salted butter. I adjust the salt to reflect the butter. Truthfully I’ve never found any of the baked goods I make too salty. Hope this helps Lisa!
Dawn
In the oven now, I’ve been thinking about date nut bread, my Mom use to buy it around this time of year! The brand Mom use to buy no longer makes it – hoping I did your recipe justice because if I did my niece in California & daughter in Texas will be getting a care package.
Elaine
Awesome, Dawn! My family loves the recipe. Let me know how it goes!
Toni
My husband told me it is the best thing he has ever eaten! It didn’t last long…the following day he wanted me to make another! Great recipe!
Elaine
I’m so happy to hear that Toni! It definitely is a favorite in our house. You should try my date nut muffins too. Soooo moist and yummy.
Mary Pat
Can I substitute something for the coffee?
Elaine
Hi Mary Pat, you can just add a full cup of water. It shouldn’t change the flavor too much. Let me know how it goes.