Date Loaf
A dark, sticky loaf made from dates softened in boiling water with bicarbonate of soda, with walnuts. Sliced and buttered, a New Zealand and Australian classic.
Method
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Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F and grease and line a 900 g (23 x 13 cm) loaf tin.
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Put the dates, bicarbonate of soda and butter in a large bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir until the butter melts and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
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Stir in the sugar, egg and vanilla, then fold in the flour, baking powder and walnuts until just combined.
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Pour into the tin and level the top.
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Bake for 50 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
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Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Serve sliced with butter.
Chef’s Tips
- Mash the dates against the side of the bowl after soaking. They should break down into a paste.
- Do not overmix once the flour goes in. It makes the loaf tough.
- Cover with foil if the top browns too fast before the centre is cooked.
Pairing Suggestions
- Butter
- A pot of tea
- Sharp cheddar
Storage & Reheating
Keep wrapped in an airtight tin up to 5 days. It improves after a day. Freeze slices for 3 months.
Common questions
How long does Date Loaf take to make?
About 1 hour 10 minutes in total — 20 minutes of preparation and 50 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 10.
What are the key tips for making Date Loaf?
Mash the dates against the side of the bowl after soaking. They should break down into a paste. Do not overmix once the flour goes in. It makes the loaf tough. Cover with foil if the top browns too fast before the centre is cooked.
What should I serve with Date Loaf?
Butter; A pot of tea; Sharp cheddar.
Can Date Loaf be made ahead or frozen?
Keep wrapped in an airtight tin up to 5 days. It improves after a day. Freeze slices for 3 months.
Is Date Loaf suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Date Loaf?
About 297 kcal per serving, with 4 g protein, 50 g carbohydrate and 9 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
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