Date-Walnut Bread with Chocolate and Orange

Date-Walnut Bread with Chocolate and Orange

1 cup boiling water
1 cup chopped pitted dates
2 cups + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3 tablespoons oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dark chocolate (about 2 ounces)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray.

Pour boiling water over dates in a medium bowl and allow to sit.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg, oil, sugar, orange zest and vanilla until well combined; whisk in date mixture until combined. Fold in flour mixture until just combined. Fold in walnuts and chocolate until just combined.

Place batter into prepared pan. Bake 50-55 minutes or until golden brown, well risen, and a toothpick inserted into bread comes out with moist crumbs attached.

Cool for about 20 minutes before removing bread to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 1 loaf