Date Spice Loaf
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Ingredients
- 2 cups coarsely chopped dates (10 ounces or 285 grams pitted)
- 1/3 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 4 tablespoons (2 ounces or 55 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (145 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (3 oranges)
- 3/4 cup (3 ounces or 85 grams) coarsely chopped pecans
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the bottom of an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pan.
Step 2
Combine the dates and orange liqueur in a small bowl and set aside for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Step 3
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed for one minute. Scrape down the bowl.
Step 4
With the mixer on low, add the egg, vanilla, and orange zest.
Step 5
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Step 6
With the mixer still on low, add the flour mixture alternately with the orange juice to the creamed mixture, beating only until combined.
Step 7
By hand, stir in the dates with their liquid, and the pecans.
Step 8
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Step 9
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 10
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Step 11
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Chef's notes
Ina suggests you serve this bread with an orange cream cheese spread, which you can make by creaming 6 ounces of room temperature cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar and one tablespoon orange zest in an electric mixer until just combined.
