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Chocolate Date-Nut Bread

Dates soaked in dark rum, chocolate chips, and nuts in a dense cake make this an interesting dessert.
Based on a recipe from The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook, Zoe Coulson, Hearst Books, New York, 1980.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: < 30 Min Prep w/Longer Cook Time, Breads, Desserts - Cakes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Catherine Christiano

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup dark rum
  • 1 cup sliced dried pitted dates
  • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 1/4 cups unbleached flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 3/4 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Place rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease 9" by 5" loaf pan. 
  • Heat rum in microwave until very hot. Place dates in small bowl and pour in rum. 
  • In double boiler, over hot, not boiling, water, melt chocolate with canola oil. 
  • In large bowl use fork to combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. 
  • In large bowl of stand mixer using whisk attachment, beat egg, milk, and vanilla just until mixed. Add flour mixture, dates with rum, and melted chocolate. Stir until uniformly combined, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Pour into prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake 1 hour 15 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan onto cooling rack.