Orange Date Bread

Name: Orange Date Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 32 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2 cups sugar; 3 large eggs, beaten; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1-1/3 cups buttermilk; 1 cup chopped walnuts; 1 cup chopped dates; 1 tablespoon grated orange zest; GLAZE; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest

I loved visiting my aunt—she was an excellent baker, and her kitchen always smelled great. With her inspiration, I now bake this moist yummy bread every holiday season. Christmas wouldn't be the same without it. —Joann Wolfe, Sunland, California

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped dates
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
GLAZE
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest

Directions

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in walnuts, dates and orange zest. Pour into two greased and floured 8x4-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until done. Combine glaze ingredients; spoon half over hot bread. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; spoon remaining glaze over bread.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 219 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Orange Date Bread in Taste of Home December/January 1994

Reviews

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Average Rating:

misscoffeepot

Jul 10, 2017

what a lovely bread! Old Fasioned flavor with the hint of orange, nuts and dates. It slices beautifully. I had buttermilk to use up, so ended up making a triple batch, using little bundt pans for some, and baby loafs to put in the freezer to give away later. I did not use the glaze, instead opted for a simple powder sugar glaze drizzle with a hint of orange extract
2124arizona

May 8, 2017

I've been making this bread since it first appeared in TOH. The combination of orange and dates is awesome!
cheeriogirl

Nov 21, 2012

Fantastic. The only thing I will change for next time is to omit the peel in the glaze--it looks weird on top of the bread.
Peggy2624

Dec 11, 2011

Well worth the little effort....moist, sweet and delicious....and I don't even like dates!! I'll be making this again for friends and family!!!
MELLOWBO

Aug 18, 2011

I am actually making this recipe tonight for a friend..it is amazing that zing orange flavor and the dates...out of this world. my husband is my best critic he is picky but this one heloved it...thank you for sharing this recipe...
weyrcat

Apr 19, 2011

Used this (with minor changes) to make my date bread. Tossed in a grated zucchini, and I always use fake buttermilk (tbsp of lemon juice in fat free milk). My husband LOVED it.