- Advertisement -
The original recipe had no spices or walnuts, leave them out if you like but we think they make it better.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped dried dates
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 1/2 cups brown or white sugar (I use brown)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 cups plain flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 large egg, whisked
Method
Preheat oven to 180 C and line a 24cm loaf tin (or 2 smaller tins) with baking paper or butter and dust with a little flour.
Put dates, water, butter and sugar into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
Remove from the heat and add the walnuts and then the gradually add the flour combined with spices and baking soda, Beat well after each addition. Lastly mix in the egg.
Mix thoroughly and spoon into the loaf tin.
Bake 45-50 minutes
*Any dried fruit can be used instead of dates
This recipe is a winner! Made it a few times and shared with family and friends.
Made it exactly as per recipe and its stodgy and possibly the worst date loaf I’ve made. Should have got my recipe book out and stuck the the one I know that works. Disappointing waste of good ingredients
Hi, what do you think went wrong, I have made one and it turned out fantastic. I have a new oven so cooked it at a less Temperture as stated. But it was very moist. I tried the gluten free flour as well, though It does not state to use that. di.
I agree, ‘stodgy’ is exactly how I’d describe it also. Heavy, almost like eating play dough. Wish i had read your review beforehand. I had to go back and double check I had used the correct ingredient amounts, it wasn’t me, it’s the recipe.
I agree. Stodgy and awful. Could hardly mix it!!!! Should it be 2 cups of flour, not 3?
What a waste of ingredients. Recipes not checked properly?
I totally agree! Stodgy is definitely the correct adjective! What a complete waste of ingredients and time. I should’ve stuck to my normal recipe.,,, will definitely be I saving from my recipe collection
Followed the recipe exactly and it came out perfect.
Is 3 cups of flour correct? Seems to be a lot, I added 2 cups and my mixture was very dough like. i ‘ll let you now how it comes out of the oven.
Made today. Used 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, added cinnamon, mixed spice, walnuts and 2 tablespoons of cumquat marmalade. Seriously delicious. Made to take on holiday, but we have nearly finished one already!! Husband suggests that next time I use pineapple and chopped ginger. Sounds good to me.
Oh lovely, sounds like a great combination.
I made this loaf using 2 cups of Lady Grey tea in stead of plain water. Also used 1 ts Mixed Spice and 1 cup walnuts. Very nice and mosist Thank you Anita
I made two loaves today. I used less sugar and added apricot and mango jam. Also my dates were the processed dates filled with almonds that I had in abundance. It came out super moist and lovely.
Thank you for the guidelines.
My go to recipe for date loaf, loved it, moist and absolutely delicious…could not stop at 1 slice..ty
A lovely loaf, very moist. I reduced sugar to 1 1/2 cups after reading previous comments and thought it was just right.
very nice and easy to make makes two loaves l added walnuts is a favourite thanks helen :)
Made this twice in a month, lovely tasty and moist.
I made the lovely date loaves today, but when putting the recipe together thought that 2 cups of Sugar was very high? The loaves came out beautifully, but they are very sweet. I am really supposed to put in 2 cups of Sugar? I will make the recipe again with 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of chopped crystalised ginger and see how that goes. I did add 1/2 tspn of Cinnamon with each cup of flour (1-1/2 tspns in all) and the flavour is super. I am into using Cinnamon every chance I get after reading it is good to lower Cholesterol.
Can I use fresh and chopped dates or figs instead of dried fruit?
I just made this.
Has to be one of the tasiest loaves I have ever had.
I did chop the dates and next time I wont.
I also added mixed spice and cinnamon.
Will be making this again and again,.
Chop dates to make sure all stones are removed !