Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf, ultra-moist packed with dates, raisins, and crunchy walnuts. This retro bread is one of my most requested holiday recipes! Not only is this bread gluten-free but it is dairy-free too!
Growing up, every Christmas our neighbors would gift us a small walnut date loaf. It was something we looked forward to every year! The original recipes go back to the 1920s, also known as "Retro Date Nut Bread," with many variations including soaking the fruit in brewed coffee instead of water.
This Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf has become a holiday staple in our house, and one of my most requested recipes! I hope you enjoy it too!
Ingredients in Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf
This bread is made with simple ingredients, and room for lots of variation. You can soak the fruit in boiling water or brewed coffee. Not a fan of nuts? No problem, leave them out.
- Dates: My favorite dates to use are Medjool dates.
- Raisins: They help provide texture and flavor
- Baking Soda: This is one of the important ingredients, you'll want to make sure it's not expired.
- Boiling Water: Helps to soften the fruit and moisten the bread.
- Oil: Helps to moisten the bread.
- Egg: Binding agent.
- Dark Brown Sugar: My preference is always dark brown sugar as it provides a stronger molasses flavor.
- Sugar: Helps sweeten the bread.
- Vanilla: Provides flavor.
- Gluten-Free Flour: My favorite brand is Bob Mills Gluten-Free 1 to 1 Flour.
- Almond Flour: The addition of almond flour helps provide more moisture.
- Baking Powder: Helps the bread to rise.
- Salt: Helps bring balance to the sweetness.
- Walnuts: For Texture.
How to Make Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf
Such an easy recipe to make! This bread is better served the next day and continues to moisten over time. It really is the perfect bread!
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease an 8½" x 4½" loaf pan or a 9x5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl add the dates, raisins, baking soda, and boiling water. Allow the fruit to soak for at least 10 minutes, do not drain.
- In a large mixing bowl beat together the oil, brown sugar, and sugar for 30 seconds. Then add the egg and vanilla. Cream together for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. The batter will become crumbly.
- Pour the liquid and dried fruit mixture into the batter, mixing until well combined.
- Fold the walnuts into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes cover the loaf with aluminum foil and continue to bake another 15-25 minutes depending on loaf pan size.
- Remove the loaf from the oven and allow the bread to cool for one hour.
- Store the bread by tightly wrapping it in aluminum foil or a tightly sealed container.
Tips for the BEST Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf
Serve this bread by itself or slathered in cream cheese!
- Serve this bread the next day, if you can resist. The bread stores nicely wrapped twice in aluminum foil, which helps lock in moisture. Day two and three are the best time to have this bread.
- This bread is wonderfully served by itself or with cream cheese. Afternoon tea or a slice after dinner, there no right time to have a slice.
- For the best flavor make sure the dates, raisins, and baking soda are not expired.
- The baking soda helps moisten the bread and the fruit, make sure the baking soda has not expired. You will know that the baking soda is fresh once it fizzes in the warm water.
- You can make mini loaves as gifts! Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
For More Tasty Bread Recipes Click The Links Below
- Cranberry Orange Loaf (Gluten and Dairy-Free)
- Lemon Bread (Gluten and Dairy-Free)
- Pumpkin Spice Bread (Gluten and Dairy-Free)
- Orange Cardamon Bread (Gluten and Dairy-Free)
Recipe
Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf (Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Walnut Date Loaf, ultra-moist packed with dates, raisins, and crunchy walnuts. This retro bread is one of my most requested holiday recipes! Not only is this bread gluten-free but it's dairy-free too!
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (262g) chopped dates
- ⅓ cup (65g) raisins
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
- ¼ cup (60ml) coconut oil, refined, melted
- ½ cup (100g) dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1¼ cups (170g) gluten-free flour (Bobs Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour)
- ½ cup (50g) almond flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (128g) chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the loaf pan. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease an 8½" x 4½" loaf pan or a 9x5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Soak the fruit. In a medium-sized bowl, add the chopped dates and raisins. Pour the boiling water over the fruit mixture and add one teaspoon of baking soda. Allow the fruit to soak for at least 10 minutes, do not drain.
- Cream together the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl beat together the melted oil, dark brown sugar, and regular sugar for 30 seconds. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and cream together for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the dry ingredients. At low speed, slowly add the gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. The mix will become crumbly.
- Add the soaked fruit with liquid. Once all the dry ingredients are added pour in the fruit mixture with the liquid. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the nuts. Fold in the walnuts and then pour the batter into the prepared greased loaf pan.
- Bake the loaf. Bake the bread for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, cover the loaf with aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning. Continue to bake for another 20 minutes (50 minutes total) or until the center of the loaf comes out clean with a toothpick.
- Allow the bread to cool. Remove the loaf from the oven. Let the bread sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling. Cool completely before slicing, then store in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for several days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 4gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 23IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1mg
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Did You Enjoy This Recipe?Please give it a star rating in the comments below. Thank you!
Beth says
This was absolutely delicious and really easy to make 1st time!
Rebecca Taig says
Thank so you much for leaving a review Beth! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe and that it was easy to make, it's one of our favorites. 🙂
Laura Rice says
This was so simple to make and tasted delicious! Excited to try more of your recipes.
Rebecca Taig says
Laura, thank you for such a lovey comment. I'm so glad you enjoyed this walnut date loaf.
Bernadett says
It’s amazing recipes, thank you so much. I made it at least five times and during the Christmas holidays was wonderful! Very simple to make it. My family and friends loved it. You can’t tell if it’s a gluten free 😉❤️
Rebecca Taig says
Bernadett,
Thank you for leaving a review I really appreciate it. I'm so glad you enjoyed this walnut date loaf, it's one of our favorites. 🙂
Greta says
I just found this recipe and excited to try it. Can this be frozen once cooled?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Greata,
Yes, you can freeze this loaf. Have the bread completely cool to room temperature, wrap it in plastic wrap and then in aluminium foil. Place the wrapped loaf in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw the bread at room temperature when ready to eat.
Tracey says
Yummy bread ..great recipe ..mine turned out perfectly..I used Aldis gf self raising flour and you would not even know it is gf. Thank you so much ...it will b a staple in my home. 10 out of 10.
Rebecca Taig says
Thank you so much for leaving a review Tracey. This is my favorite bread recipe, I'm glad you enjoyed it too! 🙂
Lilly Clarke says
This was a delightful dessert. It was not too sweet. It was perfect. Adding the Walnuts just completed it. I give a 10 out of 10. Try it you will not be disappointed.
Rebecca Taig says
Lilly,
Thank you SO much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it.
Happy Holidays!
Kenny says
A classic recipe. Extrememly moist, one of my favorite recipes for the holidays.
Elizabeth says
Thank you for your quick response. I will try baking the date loaf again using your suggestions and will let you know the results. It will not be for at least a week.
Elizabeth says
I have made this twice and we have absolutely enjoyed it. However both batches ended up soggy in the middle. I used a loaf tin for the first batch, then used 2 nut loaf tins. I realised when I was filling the was too much but tried to use it all and as predicted it overflowed. I followed the recipe exactly but with the white sugar swapped it for Xylitol as I am a diabetic. I have never had trouble with subbing xylitol with equal amts of sugar. So my question is what went wrong both times? I baked them in a 175 degree C oven and as I am in Australia I definitely weighed everything knowing your cups and some spoon measures are different. Would say using fewer dates and appropriate amt water help? Oh would using the “normal” dates instead of the module (sorry wrong spelling) be the culprit? (I can’t afford the alternate type). Looking forward to your suggestions as we both really enjoy the taste of this recipe.
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Elizabeth!
First, thank you for showing interest in this recipe, it's one of our most popular. It sounds like there may be a few things to consider. You want roughly 240 milliliters of boiling water and 262 grams of chopped dates. The batter initially looks runny, but when baking the bread plumps up nicely. I have never used Xylitol in this recipe so that may also be another issue. Xylitol bakes much like sugar but it should not be expected to have the same results as using real sugar. Often texture, moistness, and browning will be affected by using the sugar substitute.
You can bake this recipe in an 8x4 - inch loaf pan or a 9x5 - inch loaf pan. The larger loaf pan will yield a less tall loaf but still works.
Another thought that comes to mind is that all ovens work differently. The baking time is merely a guide with what works best with my oven, so your loaf may need to be baked a tad bit longer.
I would be really interested in how this comes out using the recommended cane sugar, but understand that may not be an option for you.
Thank you again for taking the time to make this recipe, and I hope these suggestions help.
Rebecca
Dee says
Amazingly delicious and simple to make; You can’t ask for more.
Rebecca Taig says
Dee,
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, thank you for leaving a review.
Michelle says
Instruction .6 was confusing to me so I ended up interpreting (incorrectly) to cover half way through 30 mins assuming that the remaining 20 mins was the second half. I’m any case I definitely underbaked the loaf (even though my toothpick came out clean at 30 mins) and the loaf fell and is quite raw in the middle. I will try again baking for the full 50 minutes - covering after 30 mins.
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Michelle,
Sorry about the confusion I can totally see where you are coming from.
You are right - you'll want to cover the loaf at the 30 minute mark, and continue to bake for another 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
This is an amazing recipe so I hope you give it another try.
Becca
Barbara Barnhill says
This bread turned out PERFECT! I had made a GF Date Nut Bread from another website and it was kind of mushy inside after leaving it in the oven probably another 30 minutes longer than it called for. I also left this one in the oven about 15 minutes longer. (I should probably check my oven calibrations!) I will be making this one again very soon. Thank you for this recipe. 🙂
Rebecca Taig says
Barbara,
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, and thank you for leaving such a kind review.
Amit kumar says
Oh my god, this turned out so awesome. Amazing texture and taste. I did couple of changes. Used flex egg instead of eggs and used coconut sugar. Didn’t add any extra sugar. Also used half cup milk and half cup water. We are GF and vegetarian family and it’s really a new addition to our desserts now on. Thanks si much for sharing this recipe. 100% worked.
Rebecca Taig says
Amit,
Thank you for leaving a review, I truly appreciate it. I love using coconut sugar, and it's nice to know this recipe can be made to fit vegetarian accommodations.
Wishing you a great week. 🙂
melissa says
this turned out so moist and delicious. I cut out the white and brown sugar completely and substituted 1/3 cup coconut sugar.
Rebecca Taig says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe Melissa, thank you for leaving a review. I love using coconut sugar. 🙂
Christine says
I made this bread this afternoon & it was easy to make & delicious! I'm going to have this for my Xmas dessert. Thanks for sharing.😋
Rebecca Taig says
Thank you for leaving a review Christine, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Happy Holidays!
Julie says
This loaf was absolutely delicious. I did cut the brown sugar by half and did not add any extra sugar. I find most recipes are too sweet for my liking so this was just the perfect amount of sugar for me. I also used olive oil instead of coconut which worked fine and still tasted amazing. I will be making this loaf again. Thankyou
Rebecca Taig says
Thank you for the lovely review Julie, I'm so glad you enjoyed this loaf and that the changes worked out.
It's definitely one of our favorites. I like to make mini loaves during the holidays to hand out to neighbors and friends.
Marion says
Hi I'm excited to try this recipe but could I use regular flour instead of gluten free & the rice flour? Please let me know. Thank you
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Marion,
Because I am celiac, I have never made this recipe with regular all purpose flour, but I think the result will be similar.
The almond flour helps tenderize the bread, however the dates help tenderize as well so I don't think you have to use it.
You could try to replace both the almond flour and gluten-free flour with 1 3/4 cup ( around 220 grams ) of regular all purpose flour.
Let me know how the recipe turns out!
Becca
Nafeesa Ladha says
Can you use only almond flour instead of mixing the two flours?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Nafeesa,
You can substitute more gluten-free flour for the almond flour, but using only almond flour will not work for this recipe.
Kate says
This was delicious! I don't usually do gluten free baking so I was very impressed with how it turned out. I added 1 tsp cinnamon and a couple shakes of mixed spice which I think compliments the date and walnut flavours nicely. I also used gluten free flour for the almond flour because I didn't want to buy another kind of flour, and it didn't have any negative effect on the loaf. I will definitely be making this again!
Rebecca Taig says
Kate,
Thank you so much for your review, it is very much appreciated.
The addition of cinnamon and mixed spice sounds beautiful.
Paula Harris says
Do I melt the coconut oil for the recipe?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Paula,
Yes, you would melt the coconut oil.
Enjoy the loaf!
Linda says
I made this today, Super Bowl Sunday. It came out great!
Karen Budd says
I just made this- came out great- delicious! I'll definitely make it again. Thanks
for sharing!
Rebecca Taig says
Karen,
Thank you for your comment, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
Sandhya says
Can I make this recipe egg free? Sub with flax egg or apple sauce?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Sandhya,
I have not tried this recipe without the egg, but I think apple sauce or a flax egg may work.
If you decide to make it, let me know how it turns out.
Happy Holidays!
Neil says
Great recipe, I've used butter instead of coconut oil, and just used brown sugar. I also LOVE dried apricots and almonds, so have adjusted those things, but for the ratios and results, this is a great recipe, I make one a week.
Rebecca Taig says
Neil,
Those flavor combinations sound fantastic!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Becca
Ghanima says
This recipe is awesome! Having it now for breakfast. I remember date nut bread tending to the dry side as a kid, but this is so moist and flavorful. I’m just starting y gluten tree baking journey, many thanks
Rebecca Taig says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Thank you for your kind review.
Becca
Mariya says
I can’t wait to make this but sadly don’t have a loaf pan. What’s your guess on baking time as muffins?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Mariya,
For muffins, I would bake the recipe at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. Everyone's oven is different so you may need a little more time. Just make sure the center comes out clean with a toothpick prior to removing. Let me know how they come out!
Sue S says
Thank you for this recipe, I made it yesterday and it's absolutely amazing! Great for breakfast with cream cheese or as a mid-afternoon snack. Thank you again!
Rebecca Taig says
Sue,
Thank you for the lovely review, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Happy New Year!
Becca
Lara Baxter says
Made this cake for my mum who’s gluten free and she loved it. Brilliant recipe x
Rebecca Taig says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thank you for leaving a review.
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday!
Uttara Malhotra says
Is there a microwave option available for the bread?
Rebecca Taig says
This bread is very soft and moist, I would only recommend microwaving the prepared bread for 8 seconds at most.
Janine says
Wow, wow, wow, give this a try. I have tried a few different gluten free cakes without much success, however, this easy tasty recipe WINS. Light, fluffy, tasty, success at last and delish to boot , thank you Rebecca .
Rebecca Taig says
Janine,
Thank you for such a lovely compliment.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this loaf!
Becca
Teresa says
Delicious! Part of my family are gluten free and some dairy free, this is perfect. I will try the muffin version for traveling purposes.
Rebecca Taig says
Hi Teresa,
Thank you for the sweet comment, I really appreciate it.
For a smaller version, you can also bake this recipe in a mini bread loaf pan at 350F for 25-28 minutes. 🙂
Becca
Shweta Dahiya says
Can I use coconut flour as gluten free flour?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi there!
Unfortunately, coconut flour will not replace gluten-free flour as an even substitute.
The "Gluten-free flour" is a rice flour base.
Becca
Joann Moore says
Hi I am in Australia and am wondering what the Bob Mills Gluten Free 1 to 1 baking flour is I can buy G/F self raising flour also plain G/F flour but not sure what 1 to 1 means regards JoAnn
Rebecca Taig says
Hi there!
Bob Mills is a flour brand that created a gluten-free flour called " Bob Mills Gluten-Free 1:1 Flour. Their 1-to-1 blend includes a mix of gluten-free rice flours, starches and xanthan gum, making it easy to swap out for regular flour in any recipes.
If a non-gluten-free recipe calls for 1 cup of regular flour, you would use the exact amount of this gluten-free flour as a substitute.
This flour is designed for quick breads and not recommended for use in yeast recipes.
The ingredients are:
sweet rice and brown rice flour, potato starch, sorghum flour, tapioca flour and xanthan gum.
In this recipe, you could use plain gluten-free flour.
Hope this helps, and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Priya says
Hello:) love that you had a wonderful gluten free recipe.
Can’t wait to try it:)
Is it okay to use any kind of oil?
What if I had to skip raisins, as I don’t have any? Will it affect the texture?
Rebecca Taig says
Hi there!
You can always use a few more dates in place of the raisins or leave them out altogether. 🙂
I would use a neutral-tasting oil, such as refined coconut oil, or if you have access to it the "Butter-Flavored" Coconut Oil by Nutiva is amazing. I have not tried it, but I'm sure melted butter would work fine as well.
Let me know how the recipe turns out.
Becca
David says
Hi Rebecca,
This loaf is delicious, however as I added the dry ingredients to the oil, sugar and egg mixture, it became very stiff and difficult to blend. I ended up having to use my bare hands and the result was a dense lump of dough. It wasn't crumbly. When I added the date, raisin, water and walnuts I ended up with lots of small lumps of dough in the mixture. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks, David
Rebecca Taig says
Hi David,
I'm so sorry your loaf did not turn out, perhaps it was the flour measurements? Maybe too much?
I recommend using a food scale to properly measure.
Did you use brown sugar, which is hydrating? Did you cream until light and fluffy?
This loaf is far from dense, because of the liquid from the date mixture.
I appreciate you trying this recipe and can understand the frustrations of something not turning out as planned.
Sincerely,
Rebecca