Description
This Date and Orange Almond Loaf is a delightful combination of sweet dates, tangy orange, and crunchy almonds in a moist, fragrant loaf. Perfect for breakfast, tea, or as a snack, this loaf is easy to make and freezes well for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Dates Mixture:
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Batter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds (plus extra for topping)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Prepare dates mixture: Simmer dates and orange juice in a saucepan until soft. Stir in orange zest and cool.
- Mix batter: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients separately and gradually add to wet mixture. Fold in date-orange mixture and almonds.
- Bake: Pour batter into pan, top with almonds, and bake for 45–55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Cool in pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
- You can use walnuts or pecans instead of almonds.
- This loaf freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Enjoy slices toasted with butter for breakfast or tea.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
