Date Nut Bread Recipe: Moist, Delicious & Easy to Make

This quick and delicious date nut bread is packed with sweet dates and crunchy nuts, and takes just minutes to make - perfect for breakfast, snacks or dessert!

Craving something sweet and nutty that’s also quick to make? This best date nut bread recipe is your perfect solution! In just 10 minutes, you can mix up this moist, flavorful bread packed with naturally sweet dates and crunchy nuts. Imagine the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen, whether you enjoy it as a cozy breakfast treat or a delicious snack with your afternoon coffee. Trust me, one slice won’t be enough!

date nut bread slice
date nut bread air container

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This date nut bread is a game-changer when it comes to easy baking. Here’s why you’re going to love it:

  • Simple and Quick: All you need is one bowl, a spoon, and just 10-15 minutes of prep time—perfect for those busy mornings or last-minute bakes.
  • Packed with Flavor: The rich taste of sweet dates, bold espresso, and crunchy walnuts creates a flavor combination that will leave you craving more.
  • Just the Right Sweetness: It’s moderately sweet, allowing the natural flavors of the dates and espresso to shine.
  • Stays Fresh and Moist: This loaf stays moist for days at room temperature and is even better when chilled!
  • Versatile: Enjoy it plain or add a spread of cream cheese or peanut butter for an extra treat.
  • Easy Ingredient Swaps: Out of something? No worries — This date nut bread recipe is flexible with substitutions.
  • Freezes Beautifully: Make an extra loaf and freeze it for later—this bread holds up perfectly.

This quick loaf uses less chopped dates than similar recipes, with 1 1/2 or 1 1/3 cups of chopped dates, about 150 grams of dates = less moist and multiple flavors in the finished bread.

Why Deglet Nour Dates

While Medjool and other types of dates work well in this recipe, Deglet Nour dates are the ideal choice for a perfectly balanced flavor and texture. Here’s why:

  • Milder Sweetness: Unlike the intense sweetness of Medjool dates, Deglet Nour dates offer a more subtle, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the walnuts without overpowering the other ingredients. (Learn more about the different types of dates).
  • Perfect Texture: Their semi-firm texture helps keep the bread just right—not too moist or sticky—so every bite has the perfect balance of softness and crunch.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Beyond their incredible taste, Deglet Nour dates are packed with fiber and essential vitamins, giving your loaf an extra boost of nutrition.
  • World-Class Quality: Known as the “queen of dates,” Deglet Nour dates are prized for their superior quality, making them the perfect addition to this recipe. (Find out why Deglet Nour is considered one of the best dates in the world).
date nut bread ingredients including: flour, espresso, butter, walnuts, dates, vanilla, eggs and others

Ingredients to Use, Why & their Substitute

This recipe for date and nut bread uses simple ingredients, but each one plays a vital role in the flavor and texture. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients, why they’re important, and some handy substitutions:

  • All-Purpose Flour: A staple in all quick breads, providing structure and stability to the loaf.
  • Deglet Noor Date: These dates add natural sweetness and moisture to the bread, balancing the flavors perfectly. (Curious about other types of dates? Learn more about date varieties.)
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and moisture, making the bread tender and flavorful. If you’re out of butter, you can substitute it with equal amounts of coconut oil or a neutral-tasting oil.
  • Brown Sugar: You can use either light or dark brown sugar to enhance the date nut bread’s sweetness and add a subtle caramel flavor. If you don’t have any, combine 1 cup of white granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon molasses.
  • Hot Espresso: I prefer to use espresso coffee for its delicate balance of sweetness and acidity. You can substitute it with boiled water and lemon juice to add the necessary sourness to this bread.
  • Eggs: You’ll need 2 medium eggs for this recipe. Eggs give quick bread more stability and structure, as well as more protein value.
  • Salt: To enhance the overall flavor.
  • Vanilla Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness. but than vanilla extract, you can substitute vanilla extract, if you don’t have a one, try to made your homemade extract.
  • Baking soda & baking powder: Essential for making the bread rise, giving it a light, airy texture.
  • Walnuts or Pecan: Walnuts or Pecan add a delightful crunch and rich nutty flavor, as well as an attractive look to the interior of the loaf when sliced with dates.

Feel free to add vodka, cognac, brandy, or rum to this recipe for date nut bread — these will give your bread an extra layer of depth.

Related: Important Ingredients in Baking Bread

Overview: How to Make Date Nut Bread

  • Soften the dates: Whisk the brown sugar, chopped dates, baking soda, butter, salt and espresso by spatula. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Mix the wet ingredients: Cream eggs and vanilla and whisk until dissolved.
  • Combine the wet dry ingredients: Add the flour and baking powder to the mixture and mix, then add the nuts. Do this in steps as described in the written recipe below.
  • Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool: Allow date bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips and FAQs

How To Store Date Nut Loaf?

Date Nut Bread can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days, but to keep it from getting soggy, place it in an airtight container that will absorb moisture and keep your bread for up to a week.

How to Freeze Date Nut Loaf?

Wrap your bread in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze. For convenience, you can slice it before freezing so you can thaw individual pieces as needed. When you’re ready to eat the bread again, thaw it at room temperature or heat it in an oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.

Can I Reduce the Sugar?

Of course, you can reduce the amount of sugar, but you have to understand that sugar helps retain moisture and keeps the bread soft, and prevents it from drying out too quickly. However, you can reduce the amount of sugar by half at most, so that the coffee doesn’t overwhelm the taste of the bread.

fresh date nut bread
date nut bread slice

Quick Date Nut Bread (Date Nut Bread Loaf)

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This quick and easy Date Nut Bread is delicious! It's packed with sweet dates and crunchy nuts, and it only takes 10 minutes to throw together. Fill your home with the delicious aroma of coffee, and enjoy an easy dessert for breakfast or a snack!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Bake Time 50 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Quick Bread
Cuisine British, Scottish
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ¼ Cups All-Purpose Flour 
  • 1 ½ Cup Chopped Deglet Noor Date
  • 3 ½ Tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Cup Hot Espresso (or Boiling Water)
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Sugar (or Vanilla Extract)
  • 1 Tsp Baking powder
  • 1 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 Tsp Vodka, Cognac or Brandy (Optional)
  • 1 ¼ Cup Walnuts or Pecans

Instructions
 

  • Set the oven rack to the 2nd position and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Grease your 11*4 baking loaf pan (you can also use 9*5 baking loaf pan with the same amounts of ingredients) with butter or oil, or line it with parchment paper if you prefer, and set it aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, chopped dates, baking soda, butter, salt, and espresso with a spatula until smooth and creamy, and let sit for 5-10 minutes (to soften dates and melt butter).
  • Add the eggs and vanilla sugar, you can replace the vanilla sugar with vanilla extract as mentioned in the article (at this point you can add liquor to enhance the flavor molecules). Then add flour and baking powder, and mix gently until smooth.  Add nut and mix(2-3 circular motions are enough).
  • Pour the mixture into the pan and gently tap the pan on your work surface to ensure that the dates and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the bread.
  • Bake your bread at 350°F (180°C) for 30-35 minutes, then at 300°F (150°C) for 20-25 minutes (you will need to test your bread with a toothpick after 45 minutes total baking time).
  • Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then remove the bread from the pan and carefully place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
  • Store Date Nut Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Have you tried making date nut bread at home? Share your baking adventures in the comments below! Let us know if you’ve added any extra ingredients to customize the flavor. We’d love to hear about your unique twists on this old fashioned.

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