Date Walnut Bread

When I told the boy I'd be going on a crazy baking spree he made two requests of me; Banana Nut Bread and Date Walnut Bread. One of his favorite childhood snacks was date bread with cream cheese. I don't think I've ever had date bread let alone made any. I looked at a couple of recipes and decided to make something up on my own. I'm pretty darn pleased with how it turned out, but we'll have to see what Jim thinks when he gets home.

8 oz Pitted Dates
2 navel oranges zested and juiced
2 tablespoons Bourbon
2 eggs
4 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon clove
1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 325F.

Roughly chop the dates and place in sauce pan with orange juice and bourbon and bring to a simmer for five minutes, remove from heat.

Cream butter and sugar together. Add in eggs, orange zest, dates and vanilla. Mix together.

In a seperate bowl mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.

Add dry ingredients to egg mixture. Slowly add in water to thin batter. Add in walnuts.

Place batter in two greased loaf pans. Cover with tinfoil and place in the oven for 30 min. Uncover and bake for 40 more minutes.

This makes two very large loafs.