Date-Orange Bread

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix together dates, orange juice, and orange zest. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Beat in flour mixture alternately with date mixture; stirring just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Interesting Facts

• Orange zest is the outer layer of the orange peel and is full of flavor and essential oils.
• Dates are a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• The process of combining butter and sugar is known as creaming, and is an important step in making a light and fluffy bread.