Date Slice

My May Metroland / Torstar / York Region Renata’s Table Column recipe!

A delicious and nutritious gluten and dairy free loaf for breakfast or a snack. The dates are the star of this recipe and give the loaf just the right amount of sweetness. The strong coffee or brewed tea to soak the dates enhances with a delicious subtle flavour.

Dates are a true nutritional powerhouse! They are an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antifungal, a source of protein, fiber and contain no fat. They do contain natural sugar and hence why they are a wonderful sweetener. They contain B vitamins, vitamin K, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium and manganese. There are compounds in dates being researched with positive results, thought to support, protect and guard the brain due to the anti-inflammatory properties in dates that aid to reduce the oxidative stress in the brain.

Enjoy with a cup of your favourite warm beverage to compliment this lovely treat.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes and 2 hours or overnight soaking / Bake Time: 30 Minutes / Makes: 1 Loaf

Ingredients

1 1/3 Cup Pitted Dates
1 Cup Strong Coffee or Tea
½ Cup Gluten Free Flour (I use Bob’s 1 to 1)
½ Cup Oat Flour (whirl oats in a food processor until a flour consistency)
¼ Cup Brown Rice or Buckwheat Flour
1 Tablespoon each Chia Seeds, Flax Meal and Hemp Hearts - a trilogy of goodness
1½ teaspoons Baking Powder
½ teaspoon salt – optional
¼ Cup Chopped Pecans
¼ Cup Sesame Seeds – alternate – chopped sunflower seeds – optional but delicious

How It’s Made

Soak the Dates:
Dice by knife, food processor or use scissors (as I do) to cut up the dates.
In a large bowl, add coffee or tea to cover the dates and soak for 2 hours or overnight.
When you are ready to make the loaf:
Prep your loaf pan by placing parchment paper in, or greasing and flouring the pan generously.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
The dates will have softened and plumped up siting in the liquid. There should be liquid remaining. Do not drain.
Add the flours, chia seeds, flax meal, hemp hearts and baking powder to the dates. Stir to mix it together.
Add the nuts and the sesame seeds and mix well. Add the salt, if using.
Spread the mixture into your prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 30 minutes and check for doneness by sticking a sharp knife or cake skewer into the middle of the loaf. It’s done if it comes out clean. A few crumbs are ok but if it is still gloppy, bake for 5 minutes longer intervals and check again.
Cool and slice and serve as is, or with a smear of butter (dairy or vegan), all-natural almond or peanut butter or topping of your choice.