Indulge in the sweet and chewy goodness of Great Grandma Cathy's Date Loaf Candy. Made with dates, walnuts, and a hint of vanilla, this homemade candy is perfect for a treat or as a holiday gift. With a preparing time of 40 minutes, you can enjoy this delightful candy in no time. It's a classic recipe that has been passed down through generations, bringing joy to everyone who tastes it.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dates, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Directions
- In a heavy saucepan, combine the chopped dates, granulated sugar, and evaporated milk.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 20 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped walnuts and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan and press it down firmly with a spatula.
- Allow the candy to cool completely in the loaf pan. This could take about 2-3 hours.
- Once cooled, remove the candy from the loaf pan and dust with powdered sugar.
- Slice the candy into small squares or bars and serve.
Interesting Facts
This recipe has been in our family for over four generations.
Dates are a good source of fiber and natural sweetness.
The addition of walnuts provides a nice crunch and extra flavor to the candy.