Did you know on December 22nd we celebrate the healthy, wholesome, and flavorful Bread that is enjoyed for breakfast and Teatime which is Date Nut Bread Day, celebrated every December 22nd. Can you believe I don’t think I’ve ever had Date Bread and neither has Charlie. As for David I don’t know if he has or not. How about you?
Dates and Nuts including Walnuts and Pecans are thrown into the mix and baked to perfection but, really, you can use any add-ons you like. Date Nut Bread is popular during the holiday season because it is sweet but not overly so.
National Date Nut Bread is a baker’s delight and we’d gladly lay a spread to celebrate National Date Nut Bread Day. The origins of National Date Nut Bread Day are unknown despite Date Bread being around for years. But that’s not the dilemma here, the big question is whether to choose Cream Cheese or Butter to go with Date Bread. I think I would choose Butter. What about you and why?
Did you know printed recipes for Bread go as far back as the 1920s, but Bread baked with Fruit was eaten in various parts of the world long before that. It is widely believed that Date Nut Bread was originally baked and first became popular in England.
The first-ever Date Nut Bread recipe was published in 1939, however, Dates are among the world’s oldest Fruits. The seeds have been excavated by archaeologists in subtropical regions around the world. It is believed by historians that Dates were brought to Spain by the ancient Moors and later distributed to America.
Did you know there are different traditions for eating Date Nut Bread in Countries where Date Nut Bread is popular. Britain enjoys a Date-and-Walnut Loaf made with Treacle and paired with a cup of Tea, of course.
The sweet treat is also popular in Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland. In the USA, Date nut Bread is a go-to during the holidays. This is probably why National Date Nut Day is celebrated on December 22nd, whereas the same holiday is observed on September 8th in other parts of the world. Date Nut Bread is packed with flavor and nutritious ingredients, without being overwhelmingly sweet. For an added punch, Cream Cheese Frosting is often used as a topping or filling.
Date Nut Bread does not have to be refrigerated simply cover Date Nut Bread with plastic wrap or foil to maximize its shelf life and prevent it from drying out. The Date used in Date Nut Bread is a Stone Fruit that grows on the flowering plant species of the Arecaceae Palm family, scientifically known as Phoenix Dactylifera. There are approximately 290 calories in a single serving of Date Nut Bread.
National Date Nut Bread Day Activities
- There is no better way to celebrate National Date Nute Bread Day than by baking Date Nut Bread and sharing the Bread with friends and family. Health-conscious family members and weight-watchers can indulge to their heart’s content, too!
- If you have the means and the opportunity plan a Tea party for your friends and ‘break Bread’ with them.
- Share your favorite way to bake Date Nut Bread on Social Media, using the hashtag #NationalDateNutBreadDay.
Why People Love National Date Nut Bread Day
- People can’t help it, they just love tasty confectionaries and if we can binge on sweet treats without having to worry about Sugar content or calories, that is an added bonus.
- Date Nut Bread is super healthy and can be enjoyed by all. It really is unfair to people suffering from health ailments to not be able to enjoy some sweet-baked items. But with Date bread they can, so yay!
- Date Nut Bread can be enjoyed year-round but, during the holiday season, Date Nut Bread just becomes one of the essentials of the dinner table. Date Nut Bread adds to the whole festive vibe of Christmas, and people love it!
Recipe for Date Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups chopped dates
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Bake in the preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees F). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, combine dates and butter. Pour boiling water over top and let stand until cool.
Stir cooled date mixture to break up any clumps. Add brown sugar and egg; mix until well blended.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir flour mixture into date mixture until just blended. Stir in walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
