Best Date Sweetened Banana Bread Recipes

FRUIT-SWEETENED BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
• Put the raisins and dates in a medium bowl, cover with very hot water and let soak until the fruit is very soft, about 25 minutes. Drain, then puree until smooth in a food processor, scraping the bowl frequently.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the raisin-date mixture, and beat until incorporated and smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk, vanilla and zest, and beat until incorporated. Lower the mixer speed to medium-low, and add half the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour mixture, stopping to scrape down the side of the bowl as needed (it's OK if there are some lumps). Fold in the bananas.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake until the bread is golden brown and crisp and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Run a knife around the edges, and let cool completely in the pan on a rack. The bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

DATE-SWEETENED BANANA BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan. (Can be lined with parchment if it is aluminum.)
• Place the dates in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the hot water and allow the dates to soften for at least 10 minutes. (I usually get the rest of my ingredients ready while the dates are softening.)
• Turn the mixer on low speed and blend until the water has incorporated with the dates. Turn the mixer to medium low speed and beat the dates until a smooth puree forms.
• Add the butter or coconut oil and beat until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and mix.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to the butter-date mixture and mix until just combined.
• Fold in the mashed bananas and walnuts.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes (I made it in many different ovens with this range of time), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out barely clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool on a rack.

BANANA DATE BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, beat together the oil and sugar.
• Add the egg and mix well.
• In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In another bowl, combine the bananas, water and vanilla extract.
• Add banana mixture to the oil and sugar mixture alternately with the flour mixture, combining well after each addition.
• Stir in dates and nuts (if desired).
• Turn mixture into a greased and floured 9" x 5" loaf pan.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan and let cool on wire rack before slicing.