As many of you will know, afternoon tea is the fourth core meal of the day at our place. We stop for a shared afternoon tea most days of the week. It’s not always cakes and muffins and slices and biscuits, but usually it is. We tend to have our sweet treat for afternoon tea and save dessert for weekends. Does that make up for it? Well…
This date loaf is one of the quickest cakes you’ll ever make. If you don’t think you’re a baker, let this date loaf completely change your mind. I reckon anyone can make it and anyone would like it. It’s not messy, fussy or finicky, but it sure tastes like it should have been.
If you like them, add walnuts right at the end of your mixing and sprinkle a few on top just before you pop it in the oven. If you want to get rid of the brown sugar (although there really isn’t very much in here), you can substitute with a mashed over-ripe banana. The bicarb makes the loaf really light and fluffy, but by all means leave it out and enjoy a denser, less acidic loaf.
A date loaf worth dating
Preheat fan-force oven to 180°C and grease a loaf tin (my tin was 22 x 13 cm).
Put chopped dates, brown sugar and butter in a bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir with a fork until butter has melted. Stir through vanilla and leave to sit for a few minutes.
Sift flour and bicarbonate soda into the bowl and mix well. Pour into loaf tin and smooth top.
Bake for around 45 – 50 minutes.
You can wrap this one and freeze it for about a month. It will keep moist and fresh for about 3 days in an air-tight container. If you go nut-free it makes the perfect recess snack in the lunch box too. All the yums!
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Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Yum! Dates are great, especially when you use your loaf! I love the idea of skipping the sugar and adding the banana – genius!
Maxabella says
Boom tish!
katepickle says
hmm I wonder if I have any dates in the pantry….
This looks awesome!
Maxabella says
It’s kinda got a sticky date vibe about it without all the cream!
JodiGibson (@JFGibsonWriter) says
I love dates. I am going to make this. Will report back.
Maxabella says
Please do! I think of this date loaf as a guaranteed pleaser, so I hope you don’t prove me wrong… 🙂
Lisa Shearon | The Notorious MUM says
I’m all over this. Eldest kid due home from school in 60 short minutes. Let the date loaf challenge begin!
Maxabella says
Tick tock! Let me know how it goes dow, Lisa. x
Ally says
This is my go-to loaf recipe.
We make it a lot and it rarely last long
Never tried walnuts though…maybe this week
(I made it with wholemeal flour last time…just as good)
Xx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Hehehehe afternoon tea really is the 4th meal of the day!!! Love this recipe Bron! I can’t wait to try it next time. I’m on a big dates thing at the moment. Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party. xx
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I love a big thick slice of date loaf with butter smeared on it! #FFF
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says
So I am sitting here eating some of your loaf which I made last night – Love it (there is now none left)!! I replaced the sugar with a banana and had to use GF flour but it’s seriously a winner – gave a couple of slices to some friends too who also love it. Will be making it again, and again. x
Elise says
This date loaf is perfect in every way! I added caramom and walnuts. Highly recommend. My new ‘go to’ recipe.
Maxabella says
That’s great to hear, Elise. I’m going to try it with your cardamon and walnut change – sounds delish!