Everyone talks about “Date Night” and “Afternoon Delight”.  Doesn’t anyone care about the morning anymore?

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces dried pitted dates, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups firmly packed coarsely chopped dates)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup (240 ml) boiling water

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 cups flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1/2 cup (113 grams) cold unsalted butter, diced

1 egg at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl mix the chopped dates with the baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of boiling water over the dates, stir, and leave to cool to room temperature (this takes about 30 minutes).

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter, or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray, a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Then line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment paper.

Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 – 10 minutes or until lightly brown and fragrant. Let cool and then chop coarsely.

In your food processor place the flour, sugar, baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and ground cinnamon. Process to combine and then add the butter. Process until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer the flour mixture to a large bowl and stir in the chopped walnuts.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the vanilla extract.

Then add the beaten egg mixture and the cooled dates (along with the water) to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Place the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon. Bake about 55 to 65 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out just clean. Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. This bread will keep for several days at room temperature. It can also be frozen.

I worked with this recipe.