These yummy date nut loaves are baked in tin cans making them easily giftable. The batter is quick to whip up and they are perfect for breakfast or tea time.
This quick bread is loaded with chopped dates and walnuts for a delicious combination. You could bake it as a loaf, but it is fun to bake it in emptied tin cans for a retro twist.
You can freeze the extra mini loaves to enjoy at a later date or gift them to family and friends. The round slices are great plane or spread with a little bit of butter or cream cheese.
Origins Of This Date Nut Bread Recipe
It appears that date and walnut breads have some origins in Scotland. Though most of those recipes include some tea much like Tea brack.
This particular recipe comes from my husband’s grandma Ruth. She has delivered a round loaf of date nut bread with the tell tale ribs from a can each Christmas and I look forward to it every year.
It is one of those traditions that I started this blog to help keep alive. I want to be able to pass these cherished recipes to future generations as well.
So I finally asked for the recipe. She not only dropped off the recipe, she also included a special can opener that makes smooth rims on the cans.
That makes cleaning the cans and removing the bread much easier. It took Little Dude and me a second to figure out the crazy equipment, but we were impressed with how it lifted off the lids.
Prepping The Cans
Having the special can opener isn’t required, though it is handy. You want at least 5 emptied 14.5 oz cans.
Remove the lids and the paper wrapper. I threw the cans in the dishwasher to get them extra clean, but you can wash them by hand.
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You can use the same five cans over and over or start fresh each time. Once the are cleaned, you are ready to start baking!
Enjoying and Storing Date Nut Bread
Wrap the cooled loaves in plastic wrap for storage or gifting. I gave extra loaves to my brothers and dad and they were a big hit.
Your round loaves of bread will be good at room temperature for about 4 days. Or freeze them for up to three months.
The bread is best seeved at room temperature or slightly warmed. It has plenty of flavor on its own but is also great with a bit of butter on top.
Grandma Ruth joked that she just knew she’d see this recipe on Facebook if she shared it with me. Of course she was right.
How could I not share it? It’s delicious and the very idea of it puts a smile on my face every time I think of it.
Besides, the recipes grandma has shared with us in the past have been really popular. I hope you love this one just as much!
Grandma’s Date Nut Loaves – Baked in Cans
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease and flour 5 cleaned 15 oz cans. (I used the spray with the flour in it.)
- Place 1 cup chopped dates in large bowl. Add 2 cups boiling water and 2 teaspoons baking soda.
- Stir in the 2 Tablespoons butter until melted. Allow to cool some.
- Mix in the 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract, 1⅓ cups granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon salt and 2 large eggs.
- Add the 4 cups all purpose flour, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts.
- Scoop batter into prepared cans.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the cans for 5 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
Video
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My mother used to make me this a lot. Very delicious bread.
I love that!
Hello
Where did you find the cans
Thank you
Robbie
Just look at the cans you already have in the pantry. Some should be labeled as not having BPA. Those would be good ones to use.
My Grandma used to make this!! She passed before I got the recipe. I have been questioning all of the family for years!! I’m SO excited to find it! Thanks so much.
I hope it tastes just like hers!
Just made this recipe. I love date nut bread in a can. However, 4 cups of flour seems like a lot as other recipes use about 1 1/2 cups for 5cans?? Hope it comes out ok
That’s the way grandma has been making them for years. I hope you like them!