By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on June 18, 2023 | Last Updated on November 25, 2023
If you are a fan of moist and delicious quick slices of bread, then you have to try the Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread. This scrumptious treat is made with delightful ingredients.
The result is a rich and tender loaf that will make your mouth water. Serve it for breakfast or afternoon tea and watch as everyone goes back for seconds.
In this article, we will learn everything about this recipe along with some special tips to make it even more easy.
What Is Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread?
Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread is a classic quick bread recipe that originated in the American Southwest. It’s made with sweet dates and crunchy walnuts to create a flavorful and moist loaf of bread. The perfect balance between the two ingredients produces a delicious dessert or snack that’s sure to please.
Where Did I First Try pioneer woman date nut bread?
I first tried Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread when I was visiting my aunt and uncle in Flagstaff, Arizona. They had just made this recipe following the directions in Pioneer Woman’s cookbook.
The aroma of this bread was incredible, and I knew I had to try it. The dates and walnuts gave the bread a rich flavor, while the baking soda added a slight sweetness. As soon as I took my first bite, I knew that this was going to be one of my favorite recipes!
The bread was so moist and tender that it almost melted in my mouth. The sweetness of the dates and the crunch of the walnuts balanced each other out perfectly. I couldn’t help but go back for seconds!
I enjoyed the Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread with a cup of hot tea. This combination brought out all of the flavors even more, and I was delighted by the unique flavor profile. This is definitely a must-try recipe, especially during the Fall season.
I have now prepared this recipe several times since my first experience with it. Each time, I get rave reviews from family and friends who have tasted it. It’s always a hit!
You can also read the following appetizer recipes:
- Recipe of Buffalo Wild Wings Mango Habanero Wings
- Vietnamese Banh It Tran Copycat Recipe
- Recipe of Pioneer Woman Prime Rib Soup
Ingredients
- Dates: This is a game-changer for this recipe. It provides a natural sweetness, and it’s also rich in dietary fiber which helps keep you full longer.
- Walnuts: The crunchy texture of walnuts adds an amazing flavor to the bread. They’re also packed with healthy fats, protein, and vitamins that will make your slice of Date Nut Bread even more delicious.
- Boiling Water: Boiling water helps to soften the dates and walnuts, allowing them to blend better with the other ingredients.
- Sugar: This adds sweetness and helps give the bread a light and fluffy texture.
- Baking Soda: This is what gives the bread its rise. It makes it light and airy.
- Salt: A little bit of salt enhances all of the other flavors in this recipe.
- Vegetable Shortening: This gives the bread a soft and moist texture.
- Eggs: The eggs act as a binding agent and help give the bread structure.
- Whole Wheat Flour and All-Purpose Flour: These two flours are used to provide structure and texture to the loaf of bread.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside. Combine dates, walnuts, boiling water, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and stir until well combined.
Step 2
Set aside for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, beat shortening and eggs until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour, beating until just combined.
Step 3
Then add the date mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4
Cool in a pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Slice and serve.
Baking Tips
• Make sure that all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. This will ensure that all of the flavors blend together properly.
• Be careful not to overmix the wet and dry ingredients, as this can lead to a dense and gummy texture in the finished product.
• Grease your loaf pan with butter or cooking spray before pouring in the batter. This will ensure that it comes out of the pan cleanly after baking.
• To get a nice golden brown crust, brush the top of your loaf with melted butter before baking.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
If you don’t have dates on hand, you can use raisins instead. However, be aware that raisins have a higher sugar content than dates so you may need to adjust the amount of sugar used.
You can also substitute vegetable oil for the shortening if you prefer. If you’re looking for a gluten-free version of this recipe, try substituting almond flour and/or coconut flour in place of the all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- mixing bowl
- beater
Ingredients
- 4 eggs binding the ingredients together and enriching the batter with their creamy texture.
- 1 1/2 cups of boiling water which helps to soften the dates and blend the ingredients together seamlessly.
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour giving structure to the dessert while maintaining a tender crumb.
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour imparting a nutty and wholesome element to the recipe.
- 3 teaspoons of baking soda ensuring a light and fluffy texture by creating air bubbles during baking.
- 1 teaspoon of salt enhancing the overall flavor and balancing the sweetness.
- 6 tablespoons of vegetable shortening lending a rich and moist consistency to the mixture.
- 1 1/2 cups of sugar contributing a sweet and indulgent taste to the final product.
- 2 cups of pitted chopped dates providing natural sweetness and a chewy texture.
- 2 cups of coarsely chopped walnuts adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside. Combine dates, walnuts, boiling water, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and stir until well combined.
- Set aside for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, beat shortening and eggs until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour, beating until just combined.
- Then add the date mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in a pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Make sure that all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. This will ensure that all of the flavors blend together properly.
- Be careful not to overmix the wet and dry ingredients, as this can lead to a dense and gummy texture in the finished product.
- Grease your loaf pan with butter or cooking spray before pouring in the batter. This will ensure that it comes out of the pan cleanly after baking.
- To get a nice golden brown crust, brush the top of your loaf with melted butter before baking.
Nutrition Information
One serving of this Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread contains approximately
- 210 calories,
- 8.5 grams of fat,
- 34 grams of carbohydrates, and
- 4 grams of protein.
- 2 grams of dietary fiber and
- Iron.
How to Store Leftover pioneer woman date nut bread?
Leftover Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread can be stored tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw and warm in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, as long as your doctor has not advised you to avoid certain foods. This bread is a good source of dietary fiber and iron which are important nutrients for pregnant women.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The bread is done baking when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You can also check for doneness by gently pressing the top of the loaf with your finger; it should feel firm and spring back when pressed.
Is it necessary to use both whole wheat and all-purpose flour?
Yes, this combination helps to give the bread a light and fluffy texture. However, this dish has a lot of flexibility so you can experiment with different types of flour to find the perfect combination for your taste.
Wrapping Up
Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread is an incredibly delicious and easy-to-make quick bread recipe that will please just about everyone. The combination of sweet dates, crunchy walnuts, and a light and fluffy texture make this dish unforgettable. Best of all, it can be tailored to fit different dietary needs by substituting ingredients or using a combination of different flours.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious dessert or snack, this is one recipe you won’t want to miss! I hope this article has inspired you to give Pioneer Woman Date Nut Bread a try. Thanks for reading!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
