Ina Garten’s Heavenly Date Nut Bread Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Nestled in the heart of comfort baking, this Ina Garten date nut bread recipe weaves a tapestry of rich, nostalgic flavors that dance on your palate.

Warm spices and sweet dates merge into a luxurious quick bread that speaks of cozy kitchens and afternoon tea.

The dense, moist crumb promises a delightful texture that melts in your mouth with each tender bite.

Fragrant nuts add a delectable crunch that complements the soft, caramel-like dates perfectly.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to create a bread that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

The aroma wafting from your oven will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to sample this delectable treat.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a slice of pure comfort.

How to Present Ina Garten’s Date Nut Bread Nicely

• Slice and Savor: Serve warm slices of date nut bread with a generous pat of soft butter melting into each piece, creating a rich and comforting experience.
• Breakfast Bliss: Pair this bread with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a delightful morning treat that will energize your day.
• Dessert Upgrade: Transform the bread into an elegant dessert by topping each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• Cheese Companion: Create a delightful appetizer by serving thin slices alongside a creamy brie or tangy goat cheese for a sophisticated flavor combination.

Store Date Nut Bread to Keep It Moist

• Maximize Freshness: Store the date nut bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, keeping its delightful texture and flavor intact.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months – perfect for surprise guests or quick breakfast treats.
• Slice and Serve Smart: Cut the bread into individual portions before freezing, allowing you to thaw exactly what you need without compromising the entire loaf.
• Revive Day-Old Bread: Warm slightly in the microwave or toaster oven to restore the bread's soft texture and bring out the rich, nutty flavors of dates and walnuts.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredient List for Ina Garten’s Date Nut Bread

• Dates: Sweet, sticky fruits that add natural richness and deep flavor complexity, choose plump and soft dates without crystallization.
• Butter: Creamy ingredient providing tender texture and subtle richness, select high-quality unsalted butter for best results.

• Egg: Protein-rich binder that helps hold the bread together, use fresh room temperature eggs for smooth incorporation.
• Flour: Foundational dry ingredient creating bread's structure, opt for all-purpose flour with consistent protein content.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents ensuring light and airy texture, check freshness by testing reactivity.
• Salt: Flavor enhancer that balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Brown Sugar: Introduces caramel-like sweetness and moisture, select dark brown sugar for deeper flavor profile.
• Walnuts: Crunchy nutty element adding textural contrast, choose fresh, crisp walnuts without any rancid smell.

What You’ll Need to Bake Ina Garten Date Nut Bread

• Stand Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure precise ingredient proportions for baking success.
• Medium Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• 9×5-inch Loaf Pan: Critical for shaping and baking the date nut bread.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and folding ingredients gently.
• Cooling Rack: Helps bread cool evenly after baking.
• Wooden Toothpick or Cake Tester: Checks bread doneness by testing center.

How to Put Together Date Nut Bread from Ina Garten

Cozy Date Walnut Comfort

• Oven Warmup Preparation

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350 degrees. Grab a loaf pan and give it a gentle butter massage, then dust with a light layer of flour to ensure easy bread release.

• Date and Butter Magic

Combine dates and butter in a mixing bowl. Pour hot liquid over the mixture and let it sit, allowing the dates to soften and become incredibly tender.

• Mixing Magical Moment

Gently break down any stubborn date clusters. Fold in a fresh egg and rich brown sugar, creating a smooth, silky base that promises delicious flavor.

• Flour Power

Whisk together dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Tenderly blend the flour mixture into the date concoction, being careful not to overmix. Sprinkle in crunchy walnuts for that perfect texture contrast.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the pan into the warm oven. Bake for about 50 minutes, watching for that golden-brown perfection. The bread is ready when a toothpick emerges clean, signaling a delightful treat awaits.

Customize Ina’s Date Nut Bread for a New Flavor

• Date Nut Bread Tips
• Cut dates into uniform small pieces to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout the bread.
• Swap walnuts with pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for unique flavor profiles and personal preference.
• Slightly under-mix the batter to maintain a tender crumb and prevent the bread from becoming dense or tough.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract or sprinkle of cinnamon to deepen the bread's warm, comforting taste.
• Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep it moist for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Rustic Ina Garten Date Nut Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

This classic date nut bread by Ina Garten offers a perfect balance of sweet dates and nutty crunch. Homemade bread lovers will appreciate its rich flavor and simple preparation, making it an ideal companion for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 cups chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (420 ml)
• 0.5 cup packed brown sugar (120 ml)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup boiling water (240 ml)
• 0.25 cup butter (60 ml)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 175°C (350°F). Generously coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter and flour to ensure effortless release.
2. Date Mixture: Combine chopped dates and butter in a bowl. Pour boiling water over the ingredients, allowing the butter to melt and the mixture to cool to room temperature. Break down any remaining date clusters with a wooden spoon.
3. Wet Ingredients Fusion: Blend the egg and dark brown sugar into the date mixture, creating a smooth, uniform consistency that binds all elements together.
4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt into the date mixture. Fold gently to combine, avoiding overmixing. Incorporate walnuts, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
5. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, leveling the surface with a spatula. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out completely clean, indicating perfect doneness.

Notes

• Butter Melting Technique: Allow boiling water to melt butter naturally, creating a smooth base for the bread’s rich texture.
• Date Preparation: Chop dates finely and break down any clumps to ensure even distribution and consistent moistness throughout the loaf.
• Mixing Method: Fold dry ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can make the bread tough and dense.
• Nut Distribution: Chop walnuts roughly and fold evenly to create delightful nutty pockets in every slice of the bread.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg