The Best Moist Date Loaf
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Need a foolproof date loaf recipe? This Moist Date Loaf Recipe is truly the best! It’s incredibly soft, moist yet satisfying. Crafted with easily accessible ingredients like succulent dried pitted dates, rich olive oil, and light brown sugar, this recipe is a breeze to prepare!
One layer cake recipes are my favorites and this easy date loaf is sure to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection!
Moist Date Loaf Recipe
Prepare to indulge in a slice of comfort with the best moist date loaf! It’s incredibly soft and fluffy with a rich date flavor.
Dried pitted dates are gently soaked in boiling water, emerging as tender morsels that infuse each slice with moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness. Easy recipes using dates are the best!
The infusion of brown sugar and extra virgin olive oil adds richness and depth to the batter, ensuring every bite is as luscious as it is satisfying.
The addition of baking soda and baking powder ensures the loaf rises to perfection
Ideal for a cozy afternoon tea or simply as a treat to sweeten your day, this moist date loaf is versatile, yielding the softest texture that’s delightfully fluffy yet satisfying!
Can I use Medjool dates?
Absolutely! Medjool dates are a great choice for their natural sweetness and moist texture. Just remember to pit and chop them finely before adding them to your batter.
Essential Ingredients
The essential ingredients listed below are affiliate links on Amazon so you can easily find and see the exact products I recommend for creating this moist date loaf recipe!
Must Have Tools
For making the perfect moist date loaf, it’s essential to have these Amazon affiliate tools at your disposal.
How to make moist date loaf
Should I keep or discard the soaking liquid from the dates?
Always keep the soaking liquid from the dates when making this date loaf. After the dates have softened, add the remaining ingredients directly into the bowl with the dates and their liquid. This process ensures every slice of your date loaf is deliciously moist.
Expert Tips
- Measure your baking ingredients accurately: Check out my helpful guide on how to measure basic ingredients.
- Date Preparation: Ensure dates are chopped small for even distribution throughout the loaf.
- Room Temperature Egg: Use room temperature egg for better integration into the batter.
- Do Not Over-Mix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined to avoid a dense date loaf.
- Do Not Over-Bake: The date loaf is done baking when you insert a toothpick into the middle and a few moist crumbs attach to the toothpick. Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking the loaf with a toothpick at the 40-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
Can I make this moist date loaf gluten-free?
Certainly! Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Although I haven’t tested it myself, these blends are generally compatible with standard baking recipes.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans or almonds can be a great addition. Just fold them into the batter before baking.
How to store moist date loaf
Store: In an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or refrigerated for 4-5 days.
Freeze: Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before serving.
Perfect Baking Tools at Amazon
Amazon provides top-quality tools ideal for baking and serving your moist date loaf. Choose a rustic wooden serving tray for stylish presentation, a precision bread knife for perfect slices, and a durable cooling rack to ensure optimal texture. These essentials are perfect for elevating your baking experience. Find them all on Amazon!
Best date recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️ star rating and a comment review below. I love to hear what you think and it’s much appreciated. Thank you! Your email address will not be published. Sam x
Based on reader feedback, I’ve adjusted some ingredient quantities to improve texture—still moist, but it now holds its shape better after baking!
The Best Moist Date Loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups (350g/12.4 oz.) chopped pitted dates
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, how to pack
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups (210g/7.4 oz.) all-purpose flour, scoop & leveled
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prep Tin: Preheat your oven to 356ºF (180ºC) fan-forced. Grease a 10-inch x 6-inch (25cm x 15cm) loaf tin with butter and line it with parchment paper. For non-stick tins, line the base with parchment and lightly grease and flour the sides for smooth cake release. Set aside.
- Prepare Dates: In a large mixing bowl, add chopped dates and cover them with the boiling water. Let them stand for 10 minutes to soften. Do not drain the soaking liquid as it will be incorporated into the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk the sugar, oil and the egg directly into the bowl with the softened dates and their soaking liquid.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until incorporated, ensuring not to over-mix.
- Transfer Batter: Pour the batter into a prepared loaf tin, smoothing out the top.
- Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store: In an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or refrigerated for 4-5 days.
- Freeze: Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before serving.
I don’t usually send a rating BUT, I have to tell U I was completely blown away. WOW!
Super moist, flavourful..I’m making another this weekend!
Thank U for posting to Pinterest….❤️
Hi AJ, thank you so much for your kind words and glowing review! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the date loaf and found it super moist and flavorful. It absolutely makes my day to know you’re planning to make it again this weekend! Thank you for trying the recipe and taking the time to leave such a lovely comment, it means the world to me. Kindest, Sam 🙂
WOW! This Date Loaf recipe was certainly a hit in my household here in Australia!
I followed the recipe but only to adding one and a half cups of hot water to soak the dates. My bake time was 10 minutes longer but so worth the outcome. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
Hi Charles, i’m thrilled to hear that this date loaf recipe was a hit in your home! I’m so glad the adjustment you made worked out beautifully. Thank you for taking the time to share your success and kind words! Kindest, Sam 🙂
Could you use dried apricots instead of dates for this recipe?
Hi Martha, I haven’t tested the recipe with dried apricots myself, so I can’t guarantee the results, but it sounds like a delicious variation! I’m intrigued and will give it a try myself soon. If you decide to experiment with it before I do, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Sam 🙂