This is the last post of the holiday quick breads..so the first of a new baking theme will go out for the month of December. This post I feel is sort of vintage. The reason for that is because this recipe has dates in it. For some reason dates, figs and prunes make me think of something a grandmother would eat.
Vintage as it may be, after tasting this I would say grandmother was on to something when it came to using dates in baking. Just the smell of this sweet loaf wafting from the kitchen had me waiting to taste a slice. Maple syrup and dates make for a perfect pair in this loaf cake. In addition, the crunchy oat streusel on top adds just enough sweetness. One slice is right at home alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee. The recipe is for one 9 x 2 3/4" loaf pan or mini foil pans (5 3/4 X 3 1/4).
Maple Date Loaf
adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
Ingredients/Oatmeal Streusel
2 tbs flour
2 tbs butter
2 tbs light brown sugar
2 tbs maple syrup
1/4 cup regular oats
Ingredients/Loaf
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 tbs butter
1 cup chopped/pitted/dried dates
1/2 to 1 tsp orange zest
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
For the streusel, start by whisking the oats, brown sugar and flour together. Add butter and use a pastry cutter to blend. Lastly, stir in the maple syrup. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the interior of the pan(s).
Fill a medium size bowl with the orange juice, zest and water. Place over medium high heat. Let cook until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add butter and dates. Stir until butter is melted and set aside for 5 minutes to plump the dried dates.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the maple syrup. Blend mixture into the orange/date liquid.
Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center. Pour the date blend into the well. Fold dry mixture into the water blend. Once no dry streaks remain, add batter to pans (dividing evenly if using multiple pans).
Sprinkle the top of the loaf with the streusel. Place in oven and bake until teamster comes out clean. Bake time should be about 25 to 30 minutes. Leave in pan(s) for gifting or invert twice after cooling for 20 minutes.
**2 YEARS AGO: White Russian Krispy Bars
