Quick Orange, Dates, and Nuts Bread

Most of the quick breads are very dense, but this quick bread recipe results in less dense and moist bread, with the flavor of fresh orange zest and orange juice. This bread also is very good for leftovers.  I make this recipe using dates to sweeten the bread without using too much sugar. Toast a slice of this bread for a sweet breakfast treat.

Ingredients:

Dry ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup chopped pitted dates

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp orange zest

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

Wet ingredients:

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Use oil or melted butter to lightly grease a 4” x 8” loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix well.

In another bowl, combine all the wet ingredients and use a hand mixer to beat the wet ingredients until combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and blend well.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve warm or cold.