Decorative Gift Bag Plus Recipe

Here's a little sneak peek of my project that's up on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog today.  Did you know it's National Date Nut Bread day?  Yup, it's a thing.  Who knew?  I not only made several loaves of date nut bread but I made decorative gift bags to make special gifts!  My brother-in-law's birthday was last week and one of these loaves went to him in this festive bag, along with some coffee.  Because coffee and treats go together, right?  I'll have a full product list at the end of this post but first, scroll down for the recipe.

(FTC Disclosure: as an affiliate for various companies in the craft industry, I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient affiliate links.  This does not affect your purchase price.)

I thought I would share my recipe.  It's surprisingly easy to make and has a special ingredient that you would NEVER guess.... instant coffee!  Yup, I keep Folger's instant decaf on hand, those individual serving packets that come in a box.  They're less than $2 a box and come in handy for baking and late night coffee drinking too.  Here's the thing.  You can't taste the coffee in the mix.  At all.  So why add it?  Typically, a date nut loaf comes out looking yellowish inside.  You could add a variety of spices, such as cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, etc., and get a darker appearance (and spiced flavor) but my husband really doesn't care for spices.  

The instant coffee simply makes the bread look darker and for some reason, dark sweet breads tend to be more appealing than lighter sweet breads.  It's all in preference, really.  The taste and color of this loaf bread is more like a banana nut bread.  I cannot begin to tell you how good this stuff is!  And, healthy!  

Here's another tip - roast or toast your pecans first.  I toasted mine on the stove the night before, with a little salt and butter.  It just brings out that nutty flavor and I can promise that you will taste the difference.  It gives this loaf the perfect combination of salty and sweet.  You can thank me later!  

Don't forget to stop by the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog to check out the full project.

printable version

Date Nut Bread Recipe

(makes 2 large loaves - half recipe for one loaf)

1 1/2 c. chopped dates                                     3/4 c. coarsely chopped pecans

1 1/2 c. hot water                                             1 1/2 tsp baking soda

4 Tbsp. butter, softened                                   1 1/2 tsp salt

2 1/4 c. all purpose flour                                  2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 c. sugar                                                    1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 to 1 1/2 tsp. instant coffee *optional             Confectioner's sugar *optional

Directions

1.  In large bowl, combine dates, water, butter and coffee.  Let soak for 10 minutes.  In another large bowl, combine flour, sugar, pecans, baking soda and salt.  

2.  In a medium bowl, combine eggs and vanilla.  Add date mixture and stir.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

3.  Pour into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  (For mini loaf pans, pour into 4-5 pans, baking at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.)   Cool completely on wire racks before removing from pan.  If you like, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar using a sifter, once cooled.

*Tip - Loaves will easily come out of the pan if you grease lightly with oil, then sprinkle with flour (tip pan to coat all sides with flour, then tap off excess) and allow to completely cool.  Enjoy!

SUPPLIES:

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