This Ina Garten date nut bread is a moist and flavorful recipe, which uses sweet dates and crunchy walnuts for a hearty loaf. It’s a beginner-friendly quick bread, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or holiday gifting, ready in about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Ina Garten Date Nut Bread Ingredients
- 2½ cups chopped dates
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
How To Make Ina Garten Date Nut Bread
- Prepare the pan and oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Soften the dates: In a bowl, combine chopped dates, butter, and boiling water. Let sit 10–15 minutes to soften.
- Mix wet ingredients: Stir in brown sugar and egg into the cooled date mixture.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Make the batter: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Stir in walnuts.
- Bake the loaf: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 50–55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool before serving: Let bread cool 10 minutes in the pan, then remove and cool fully on a wire rack.

Recipe Tips
- How to prevent dry bread: Avoid overmixing and measure flour correctly (spoon and level method).
- Can I use different nuts? Yes, pecans or almonds work well in place of walnuts.
- How to make it dairy-free? Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
- Can I add spices? Cinnamon or nutmeg complements the dates beautifully.
- How to check doneness? Insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
What To Serve With Ina Garten Date Nut Bread
This bread pairs well with:
- Softened butter or cream cheese
- Honey or fruit preserves
- A cup of coffee or tea
- Yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast
- Whipped cream for dessert
How To Store Ina Garten Date Nut Bread
Refrigerate: Wrap tightly and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Wrap cooled loaf in plastic wrap and foil; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.
Ina Garten Date Nut Bread Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 279 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 25g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use medjool dates for this bread?
Yes, medjool dates are sweeter and softer, making them perfect for baking.
Can I bake this as muffins instead of a loaf?
Yes, divide batter into muffin tins and bake 20–25 minutes.
Do I need to soak dates overnight?
No, soaking in boiling water for 10–15 minutes is enough to soften them.
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Ina Garten Date Nut Bread
Description
A moist quick bread filled with sweet dates and crunchy walnuts—perfect for breakfast, snacking, or gifting.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Combine dates, butter, and boiling water; let cool 10–15 minutes.
- Stir in brown sugar and egg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture; stir in walnuts.
- Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 50–55 minutes until done.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
