DATE AND ORANGE LOAF

Sometimes we buy a big container of dates from Costco.  The DH likes to snack on dates.  As this three pound container of Hadley pitted dates is a lot to consume, I made a date and orange loaf.  I can't recall the last time I made a loaf using dates.  This recipe is easy to make.  The loaf is really delicious, very moist and not very sweet.  The dates and orange add a sweetness to the loaf and the half a cup of sugar could even be reduced to one third of a cup.

Two cups of chopped dates added to the saucepan.

The three pound container of California pitted dates.  The DH has been eating them. 

Orange sliced in several sections in the blender.

The orange was blended with a cup of water. 

The dates, orange, water, sugar and butter cooling off in the saucepan after being boiled. 

Dough is placed into a large loaf pan and ready for baking.

Cooling off on a rack.

Ready for sampling!!

ORANGE AND DATE LOAF

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of dates chopped

1 orange, finely chopped

2 cups of water

½ cup brown sugar

3 tbsp butter or margarine

3 cups of flour

1 tsp of baking pwder

1 tsp of baking soda

¼ tsp salt

2 eggs, beaten

DIRECTIONS:

I used a blender to chop the orange.  Into the blender add a cut up orange using one cup of the two cups of water.  Blend until well chopped.  In a saucepan, bring to boil the dates, water, orange, sugar and butter.  Once it boils, turn the stove off and let the mixture cool completely.

In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda and powder.  Mix together.  Add the beaten egg to the flour mixture.  Then add the date mixture.  Combine.  Pour into a large loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes.

Adapted from Bestrecipes.com and Canadianliving.com