Date Walnut Loaf

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped dates
• 1/3 cup butter, (room temperature)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, (firmly packed)
• 1 cup tea, (strong and hot)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs, (whisked)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. 1

   Place the chopped dates into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, salt, baking soda, and brown sugar.

2. 2

   Pour the hot tea over the ingredients and stir to combine. Set aside to cool.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a loaf pan by spraying it lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

4. 4

   Once the dates have cooled, add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.

5. 5

   Add the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and beaten eggs to the date mixture.

6. 6

   Using a spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the date mixture.

7. 7

   Next, fold in the chopped walnuts.

8. 8

   Transfer the batter to the loaf pan. (You can top the filled loaf pan with extra walnuts or chopped dates if you wish.)

9. 9

   Bake for 50 minutes. Test to see if the loaf is baked by inserting a toothpick into the loaf. If it comes out clean, the loaf is ready. If not, bake for another 5 minutes and test with a toothpick once again.

10. 10

    Allow the loaf to cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and sit on a wire cooling rack to cool completely.