Friday, January 30, 2009

Date Nut Spice Bread


I am hosting a Baby shower tomorrow for my sister, Emily.
This is one of the things I made for the party. It should have the word orange somewhere in the title, because it is very orange-y.
In a good way.
It's a *BF* recipe. The new term that my sister's have assigned to my favorite cookbook author.

Start by getting a few things ready.
Bring 1/2 stick of unsalted butter to room temperature.
Zest 2 oranges.

Place in a small bowl,

and add one egg,

and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Set aside for now.

Next, juice 3-4 oranges,

or until you have 3/4 cup.

Then you'll need 13-14 ounces of pitted dates,

roughly chopped.

Put the dates in a bowl & add 1/3 cup of Triple Sec.

Mix to combine & set aside to soak for at least 30 minutes.

Next, coarsely chop 3/4 cup of pecans.

Preheat the oven to 350.
Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of a loaf pan.

Butter the bottom of the pan,

& place the parchment paper into the bottom.

Grease on top of the paper & up the sides of the pan.

Then dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

Put 2 cup of flour in a medium mixing bowl.

Add 2 teaspoons baking powder,

1/2 teaspoon baking soda,

1 teaspoon of cinnamon,

1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg,

1 teaspoon of kosher salt,

and a 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves.

Whisk to combine.

Put the butter & 3/4 cup of lightly packed light brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment,

& beat for about 1 minute on medium speed.

Add the egg, vanilla, orange zest mixture & beat to incorporate.

Add the flour mixture in small batches,

alternating with the orange juice.

Scrape down the sides after each addition.

Remove the bowl from the mixer & add the pecans, dates & any liquid & mix by hand,

until combined.

Pour into the loaf pan & smooth out the top.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan & cool completely.

Slice & serve with cream cheese.

1 comments:

gm said...

Nice work! Great pictures!

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