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    Home » Recipes » Bread

    Date and Walnut Bread

    Published: Aug 24, 2018 · Modified: Nov 15, 2018 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Make this easy date and walnut bread! It's full of flavour and really simple to make.

    This date and walnut bread recipe is easy to make and delicious. There's only a few minutes kneading and it's packed with flavour.

    A freshly baked date and walnut bread on a blue background with patterned tea towel and two slices cut from the bread.

    Recipe commissioned by Thermapen.

    Sometimes I get into the swing of regularly baking bread from scratch. Sure, it takes a little effort and time, but oh my, it's ALWAYS totally worth it. There are few things as pleasant as cutting a slice of freshly homemade bread and savouring it.

    I love the methodical kneading of the dough. It's a few minutes with only thoughts for distraction as your hands turn the dough from a scraggly heap into a smooth and pliable ball. Sure, you could whack it into a stand mixer to knead the dough, but it's a manual kitchen task that I love. You really earn your slice.

    Date and Walnut Bread

    This is a simple rustic bread. Only one rising time and just a few minutes of kneading means it's super easy to make. Most of the time it takes is just waiting for it to rise or cook, so it's actually really not difficult at all.

    The dates bring little bursts of soft sweetness to the loaf, while the chopped walnuts add their distinctive aroma and texture.

    If you're worried about kneading, this is a good guide.

    To make this bread you'll need: 
    Flour
    Dried yeast
    Sugar
    Salt
    Dates
    Walnuts

    Other equipment
    Bowl
    Wooden spoon
    Food Thermometer (optional, but very useful. I use a Thermapen)
    Baking Tray
    Baking paper

    Overhead picture of a rustic date and walnut loaf of bread, with two slices on a bread board being spread with butter. Recipe.

    This recipe makes a great basic rustic loaf. It's my go-to loaf and we make it often with lots of different additions.

    Try it with some of these flavours: 
    Cranberry and pistachio
    Apricot and cardamom
    Raisin and almond
    Dried apple and pecans
    Dried mango and peanuts
    Sundried tomatoes and herbs

    If you're looking for another type of bread, be sure to try my Italian Braided Easter Bread or Garlic and Herb Skillet Rolls. They're both delicious yeasted breads that look show-stopping but are actually quite easy to make!

    Using a Thermapen digital food thermometer to test a loaf of bread for doneness

    Thermapen®

    For this rustic loaf recipe (and many other recipes!) a Thermapen® food thermometer can take out the guesswork and help to ensure success. For years I've been using mine for everything from honeycomb and homemade lollipops, to carrot and ginger hot cross buns and pecan brittle.

    Food thermometers are perhaps thought of as mainly useful for meat, but as a vegetarian, I still use it all the time. It's particularly useful for bread, but also plenty of sweet treats.

    The  SuperFast Thermapen® 4 Cooks Thermometer is the UK’s best-selling food thermometer.
    * Measures a temperature range of -49.9 to 299.9 °C.
    * Used worldwide by hundreds of thousands of cooks
    * Fast, accurate and convenient
    * Patented 360° self-rotating display that automatically turns to make it readable in any position.

    What temperature is lukewarm?

    When a recipe calls for lukewarm water, it’s hard to know exactly what that means. A thermometer means you can be sure the water is lukewarm when it's 38°C/100°F

    How can you tell bread is cooked?

    Many bread recipes say to knock on the bottom of the loaf and if it sounds hollow, then it's done. But it's difficult to determine if it really is ready to come out of the oven.

    To be sure that your loaf is fully cooked, simply lift the bread and poke the tip of the Thermapen® food thermometer into the centre, from the underside. If it's close to 100°C/210°F, then you're ready to take it out.

    You can use this temperature method to check many types of bread for doneness.
    Bread Temperatures
    Enriched bread: 90°C / 190°F
    Sandwich loaves: 90°C / 190°F
    Soft Rolls: 90°C / 190°F
    Harder crusty loaves: 95°C / 200°F
    No-knead rustic loaves: 100°C / 210°F

    How to make this rustic date and walnut bread recipe

    How to make date and walnut bread - step 1 whisk dry ingredients, step 2 add lukewarm water

    Step 1: Whisk the flour, yeast, sugar and salt together
    Step 2: Ensure the water is lukewarm, then stir in the oil

    How to make date and walnut bread - step 3 stir ingredients, step 4 knead until smooth

    Step 3: Add the liquid and stir to combine
    Step 4: Tip onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes

    How to make date and walnut bread - step 5 knead in the dates and walnuts, step 6 leave to rise for 1 hour

    Step 5: Knead in the dates and walnuts
    Step 6: Allow to rise for 1 hour, then bake

    Get the date and walnut loaf recipe
    Made this recipe banner

    A freshly baked date and walnut loaf on a blue background with patterned tea towel and two slices cut from the bread.

    Rustic Date and Walnut Loaf

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    This simple rustic loaf is full of flavour from the dates and walnuts. It only needs 5 minutes kneading and one rise. 
    4.77 from 17 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Rising time 1 hr
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Bread
    Cuisine International
    Servings 10
    Calories 249 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 500 g (4 ½ cups) strong white bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
    • 7 g (1 sachet / 2.5 tsp) fast-action dried yeast
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 300 ml ( 1 ¼ cups) lukewarm water (38°C/100°F)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
    • 50 g ( ½ cup) walnuts roughly chopped
    • 8 pitted dates roughly chopped

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar and salt.
    • Stir the oil into the water, then add it to the flour and mix well.
    • Lightly flour a work surface, then turn the dough out of the bowl and knead until the dough becomes smooth, about 5 minutes.
    • Add the dates and walnuts to the dough and knead gently until they are incorporated.
    • Place the dough onto a lightly oiled baking sheet, cover with lightly oiled cling film and leave to rise for 1 hour.
    • Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
    • Remove the cling film from the risen dough, lightly dust the dough with flour, place the tray in the oven on the middle shelf and bake for 35 minutes until done (see below). Allow to cool on a wire rack.

    To test the bread for doneness:

    • Insert the tip of a Thermapen digital food thermometer into the centre. If it reads 100°C / 210°F then it’s done. If not, return to the oven for a further 5 minutes.
    • Tap the bottom of the bread. If it’s cooked it will sound hollow, if not bake for a further 5 minutes and test again.

    Video

    Notes

    To test the bread for doneness: Insert the tip of a Thermapen digital food thermometer into the centre. If it reads 100°C / 210°F then it’s done. If not, return to the oven for a further 5 minutes. Alternatively, tap the bottom of the bread. If it’s cooked it will sound hollow, if not bake for a further 5 minutes and test again.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSodium: 234mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gCalcium: 15mgIron: 2.5mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

     

    Disclosure: This recipe was commissioned by Thermapen. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make it possible for me to be a UK food blogger and write Veggie Desserts. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachel

      January 12, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe, the bread worked out beautifully. I added more dates and walnuts than stated and it held up well

      Reply
    2. Julie Evink

      August 30, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for my dad and he LOVED It. Perfect crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. He's asking for it again!

      Reply
    3. Jenni

      August 28, 2018 at 1:34 pm

      This sounds and looks delicious. I love my thermapen, I use it every day x

      Reply
    4. Kara

      August 28, 2018 at 10:37 am

      II have not tried walnut bread before, it sounds delicious though

      Reply
    5. Emma Raphael

      August 27, 2018 at 8:55 pm

      5 stars
      I will definitely be making this. Two of my favourite flavours right there. Sounds like a lovely loaf to make for Autumn too! 🙂

      Reply
    6. Rachael

      August 27, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      Oh this looks lovely and rustic. I’ve been making bread with my son lots over the holidays, so it’s nice to have a new flavour combo to try out.

      Reply
    7. Rebecca | AAUBlog

      August 26, 2018 at 10:48 pm

      This sounds amazing, I love dates. I am not good at baking bread though, so maybe the temperature and leaving it to rise is where I'm going wrong x

      Reply
    8. michelle twin mum

      August 26, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      Oh yum, I'm now dreaming pf this warm with butter and nice chunk of cheese. It looks great, Mich x

      Reply
    9. Rhian westbury

      August 26, 2018 at 9:49 am

      I don't think I've ever made my own bread before and although it does look time consuming it must feel like such an achievement afterwards x

      Reply
    10. soniya

      August 25, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      Oh I love this bread ready.. coz it has my favorite ingredients! Dates and walnuts!! Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    11. b

      August 25, 2018 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      This looks amazing, we love baking cakes but have never given loafs or bread a go. Something I should add to my rainy days list of things to do with my daughters.

      Reply
    12. Vicky

      August 25, 2018 at 7:44 am

      I do love making bread but dread the time it takes as we don't have a bread machine. I'm always on the lookout for quick recipes so adding this to the list.

      Reply
    13. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

      August 25, 2018 at 3:37 am

      5 stars
      I love breads like this- a sweet yeast bread. Perfect to toast for breakfast!

      Reply
    14. Pam Greer

      August 25, 2018 at 2:05 am

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous loaf of bread!! Love the date/walnut combination and I like your other options too!

      Reply
    15. Ginny McMeans

      August 25, 2018 at 1:25 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea to make a beautiful savory bread like the and add a little something extra. It really sounds delicious and I have it pinned for the future.

      Reply
    16. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours

      August 25, 2018 at 1:03 am

      5 stars
      I love making bread at home, it is so much more tasty and easy to make too. This is a delicious variety, with the sweetness of the dates and the nutty walnuts.

      Reply
    17. Krissy Allori

      August 24, 2018 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      There's nothing quite like homemade bread. Fantastic recipe!

      Reply
    18. Renee Goerger

      August 24, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      This is one beautiful loaf of bread! Since fall is almost here, I'm super excited to be baking bread again. This one is definitely going on my baking list!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

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    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

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    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
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    Easter Recipes

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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