Mini Date Nut Bread Loaves Recipe

My family loves date nut bread, yet somehow I almost always save it for the holiday season. Once the holidays arrive, though, I make up for lost time! I usually bake several batches of these mini date nut bread loaves to tuck into our annual holiday gift baskets for family and friends.

They also have a habit of frequently appearing on our breakfast table or traveling with us to holiday potlucks.

This easy date nut bread is made with chopped Medjool dates, brown sugar, vanilla, and plenty of walnuts or pecans. Soaking the dates before mixing the batter helps create a wonderfully moist bread with plenty of date flavor in every slice.

Best of all, date nut bread freezes beautifully, so I can bake the mini loaves ahead of the holiday rush. That alone has earned this recipe a permanent place on my holiday baking list.

Why I Love Making Mini Date Nut Bread Loaves

I love baking this recipe in mini loaf pans. The little loaves are just the right size for sharing, and they fit super easily into holiday gift baskets and goodie bags.

This recipe makes three mini loaves or one full-size loaf, so you can choose whichever works best for your plans.

The bread is moist and packed with dates and nuts, easy to make ahead, and freezer-friendly. AND—it is awesome with a little cream cheese spread!

What Are the Best Dates for Date Nut Bread?

I like to use Medjool dates for this recipe. They are naturally sweet, soft, and flavorful, which makes them a great choice for baking.

Remove the pits and chop the dates before soaking them in boiling water. The soaking step softens the dates even further and helps distribute their flavor and moisture throughout the bread.

Ingredients for Mini Loaves of Date Nut Bread

For Soaking the Dates

• 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Date Nut Bread Batter

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions for Mini Loaves of Date Nut Bread

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease three mini loaf pans or one standard loaf pan.
2. Place the chopped dates and 1 teaspoon baking soda in a heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling water over the dates, stir, and let stand for approximately 15 minutes, until lukewarm.
3. Cream the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter together until blended.
4. Add the beaten egg and vanilla and mix until smooth. Stir in the date mixture.
5. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, remaining 1 teaspoon baking soda, and salt.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
7. Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
8. Divide the batter evenly among three mini loaf pans.
9. Bake the mini loaves for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. For one standard loaf, bake approximately 60–75 minutes.
10. Cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Remove the loaves and finish cooling on a wire rack.
11. For the best slices, wrap the completely cooled bread and let it rest until the following day before slicing, if desired.
12. Serve plain or with cream cheese spread.

Mini Date Nut Bread FAQs

Can I make date nut bread ahead of time?

Yes. This is an excellent make-ahead quick bread. I often bake mini loaves ahead of the holidays because they store and freeze well.

Can you freeze mini date nut bread loaves?

Yes. Cool the loaves completely, wrap them securely, and freeze. Mini loaves are especially convenient because you can thaw them individually as you need them.

Should I use walnuts or pecans in date nut bread?

Either works well. Walnuts give date nut bread that familiar, traditional flavor, while pecans have a slightly sweeter, buttery flavor. Use whichever your family prefers.

Why do you soak dates before making date nut bread?

Soaking chopped dates in hot water softens them and helps add moisture to the quick bread. It also makes the softened dates easier to distribute throughout the batter.

How long do mini date nut bread loaves take to bake?

At 350°F, these mini date nut bread loaves generally need about 40–45 minutes. Because mini loaf pan sizes vary, check for doneness by inserting a wooden pick near the center of a loaf.

Can I make one large loaf instead of mini loaves?

Yes. The same batter can be baked in one standard loaf pan. A full-size loaf generally needs about 60–75 minutes at 350°F, depending on the dimensions of the pan and your oven.

Is date nut bread good for Christmas gifts?

It is one of my favorite homemade food gifts. Mini date nut bread loaves are easy to package in holiday gift baskets, and because the bread freezes well, you can do some of the baking ahead of time.

A Few Last Kitchen Notes

These mini date nut bread loaves are one of those recipes that immediately feel like the holidays to me. Between the sweet dates, crunchy nuts, and the little loaves lined up on the cooling rack waiting to go into gift baskets, making them has become part of our family's holiday routine.

Of course, there is no rule saying date nut bread has to wait until December. It makes a wonderful breakfast or snack any time of year—and maybe one of these days I'll actually remember that before the holidays arrive!

Looking for a slightly different date nut bread recipe for your holiday gifts?
Check out our White Chocolate Chai Date Nut Bread Recipe !

Mini Date Nut Bread Loaves

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 65 minutes

Yield: 3 mini loaves | Category: Quick Bread

Ingredients

For the Dates

• 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Bread Batter

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease three mini loaf pans or one standard loaf pan.
2. Place the chopped dates and 1 teaspoon baking soda in a heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling water over the dates, stir, and let the mixture stand for about 15 minutes, or until lukewarm.
3. Cream together the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter until well blended.
4. Add the beaten egg and vanilla and mix until smooth. Stir in the cooled date mixture.
5. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and remaining 1 teaspoon baking soda.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
7. Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
8. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared mini loaf pans.
9. Bake the mini loaves for 40–45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. If making one standard loaf, bake for approximately 60–75 minutes.
10. Cool the bread in the pans for about 15 minutes. Remove the loaves and cool completely on a wire rack.
11. For neat slices and the best texture, wrap the completely cooled loaves and allow them to rest until the following day before slicing, if desired.
12. Serve plain or with cream cheese spread.

Notes: These mini date nut bread loaves freeze well and are a great make-ahead option for holiday gift baskets. Cool the loaves completely before wrapping and freezing. Walnuts or pecans both work well in this recipe.

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