Walnut Date Bread for Melissa

Ok. I must admit, I have never tasted this bread.

However, I do know that it smells delicious, and the ingredients are the most scrumptious, so therefore I presume it is edible.

I made this bread as a farewell for my dearest friend Melissa, who has fled to Toronto!
It was apparently enjoyed, with 3/4 of it devoured by Michael, or this is what I'd like to think.

There is something about a sweet bread that is so comforting. YUM! I could eat it day and night.


Walnut Date Bread with Brown Butter
Inspiration: More for Less

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup walnuts
2 cups dried, pitted dates
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp lemon zest
Olive oil for toasting walnuts


1. Heat up a small cast iron pan on low medium heat and add the butter. When the butter melts, use a whisk to stir, it should start to foam, once the foam subsides you should notice the color reach a medium shade of amber. Immediately pour the butter into a small bowl, and put in the freezer until the butter solidifies, about 20 minutes.



2. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Spread around with your hands to evenly coat. Toast for 10 minutes. Once cooled, roughly chop.



3. Now, it is time to sift together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon and lemon zest. Set aside.



4. Remove the butter from the freezer and empty into a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer, cream together butter and sugars for nearly 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time. (Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowls!). Add the vanilla and continue to mix.



5. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl. (Do this in two or three batches). Mix until just incorporated. Using a spoon, slowly fold and stir in the yummy dates and walnuts.



6. Butter a 9x5 loaf pan. Pour the batter into the pan. The batter should be thick, similar to cookie dough. Bake for 45-50 minutes on the middle rack. Let cool!

7. ENJOY (: