I love quick breads, they are the perfect breakfast and/or snack and I like to play around with all different sorts of recipes for them. I particularly like date nut combos since they are both hearty and tasty. This one is a particular favorite of mine since the grated orange peel gives this quick bread a really wonderful flavor and when combined with the dates and nuts your mouth just has a happy moment, promise! 😉 .

Start with some yummy dates, I like the mahjool since they have a wonderful meaty taste but there are other dates, just as delicious. Halve and pit them and plunk into your food processor.

squeeze half a fresh orange into the dates. Pour the boiling water over the whole lot and let the dates soften in hot water while you get the rest of the ingredients together.

Add the pecans when the hot water cools and chop with food processor.

Add the orange peel, oil and the eggs and whirl briefly.

In a separate bowl, place the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt.

Stir together and pour the date mixture over the dry ingredients stirring till just combined. Do not overmix or you’ll toughen the bread.

Take a 9 x 5 loaf pan, spray with oil and line with parchment paper. Pour combined mixture into prepared pan and smooth top.

Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 45-55 minutes (my oven took close to 55 minutes but it depends if your oven runs hot or not) or till a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and lift out of pan with parchment paper. Peel off the paper and serve on your prettiest dish to the delight of all.

Orange Date Nut Bread

400 g or approximately a pound of dates pitted and halved, I use Medjhool for the rich flavor
Grated peel of one whole orange
Juice of half an orange about 1/4 cup
1 cup boiling water
1 cup pecans
2 eggs
1/4 cup of oil
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 3/4 cups white spelt flour or all purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar – this is important since if you loosely pack it it will not be sweet enough
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 F.

Halve and pit the dates and place in bowl of food processor. Scrub an orange and grate the whole peel of the orange, but not the bitter white pith, into the processor. Squeeze half an orange on top of the dates and pour the boiling water over it. Let sit till cooled and then put in pecans and chop together. Add eggs and oil and give it a whirl.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, brown sugar and salt. Pour the date mixture over the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix or the bread will be tough. Spray 9×5 loaf pan with oil spray and cover with parchment paper. Pour in the mixture and smooth in pan. Bake in the hot oven for 45-55 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Delicious any time of day.