Heavenly Date and Apricot Nut Loaf
Indulge in the delightful flavors of our Heavenly Date and Apricot Nut Loaf, a quick bread that marries the natural sweetness of dates and apricots with the crunch of walnuts. This moist and aromatic loaf is perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a wholesome snack any time of the day. With the earthy notes of cinnamon and the rich depth of brown sugar, every slice is a treat for the senses. Easy to make and even easier to share, this recipe will surely become a favorite in your kitchen!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Self raising flour
2 1/2 cups (Sifted)
Dates
180 g (Diced)
Hot coffee
1 cup (Brewed)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (Pure or imitation)
Brown sugar
3/4-1 cup (Packed)
Cinnamon or mixed spice
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Eggs
2 (Lightly beaten)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Dried apricots
80 g (Chopped)
Walnuts
100 g (Chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a standard loaf pan.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced dates with hot coffee and let them soak for about 15 minutes until softened. Allow the mixture to cool.
3
Once cooled, stir in the vanilla extract and melted butter to the date mixture until well combined.
4
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the coffee-date mixture.
5
Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6
Add the lightly beaten eggs and fold them into the mixture.
7
Finally, gently fold in the chopped dried apricots and walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8
Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too much, cover it loosely with aluminum foil halfway through the baking time.
10
Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Date and Apricot Nut Loaf?
It is a moist and aromatic quick bread that combines the sweetness of dates and apricots with the crunch of walnuts, flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar.
What type of flour is required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of sifted self-raising flour.
How long should the dates soak in the coffee?
The diced dates should soak in the hot coffee for approximately 15 minutes until they are softened.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 180°C (350°F).
How long does the loaf take to bake?
The loaf typically takes about 60 minutes to bake, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can I use mixed spice instead of cinnamon?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or ground mixed spice.
What should I do if the top of the loaf browns too quickly?
If the top starts to brown too much, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil halfway through the baking time.
Do I need to grease the pan?
Yes, you should grease a standard loaf pan before pouring in the batter.
What kind of coffee should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of hot brewed coffee.
Is vanilla extract required?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of pure or imitation vanilla extract is added to the date and coffee mixture.
How much brown sugar is needed?
The recipe uses between 3/4 and 1 cup of packed brown sugar depending on your sweetness preference.
How many eggs are used in the batter?
The recipe requires 2 eggs, which should be lightly beaten before being folded into the mixture.
How much butter is in this recipe?
The loaf uses 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
What nuts are included in the loaf?
The recipe includes 100 grams of chopped walnuts for added texture and crunch.
How should the dried apricots be prepared?
The 80 grams of dried apricots should be chopped before being folded into the batter.
When should I add the eggs?
The eggs should be folded in after the dry ingredients have been combined with the coffee-date mixture.
Should I use a mixer for this recipe?
No, it is recommended to gently fold the ingredients together by hand to avoid overmixing.
What is the texture of this bread?
The loaf is described as moist and aromatic with a pleasant crunch from the walnuts.
How long should the loaf cool in the pan?
Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for just a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
Is it important to cool the date and coffee mixture?
Yes, the mixture should be allowed to cool after soaking before you stir in the vanilla and butter.
Can I serve this for breakfast?
Yes, this nut loaf is perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a wholesome snack.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients: self-raising flour, dates, coffee, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, butter, apricots, and walnuts.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, for the best results, the self-raising flour should be sifted.
What is the first step in making the batter?
The first step is soaking the diced dates in hot coffee.
Can I use this recipe for a snack?
Absolutely, it is designed to be a versatile and wholesome snack for any time of the day.
How do I incorporate the dry ingredients?
Whisk the flour, sugar, and cinnamon together, make a well in the center, and pour in the liquid mixture.
What if I don't have walnuts?
While the recipe specifies walnuts, you could likely substitute with other nuts like pecans or omit them if necessary.
How should the butter be prepared?
The butter should be melted before being added to the cooled date mixture.
Does the recipe use white or brown sugar?
The recipe specifically calls for brown sugar to provide a rich depth of flavor.
Why is it called a quick bread?
It is a quick bread because it uses self-raising flour as a leavening agent instead of yeast, making it faster to prepare.