Orange & Date Bread

There must be a name for the breads that fall into the "Banana Bread Family" and its  cousins--you know, those dense, cake-like breads that could be muffins if you wish, but also make a stellar presentation cooked for 40-ish minutes in a loaf pan? I'm thinking specifically of Pumpkin Bread, Banana Bread, Nut Bread, Lemon Bread, and this recipe--a near and dear cousin--Orange and Date Bread.

This orange bread tastes like eating an orange-flavored cinnamon roll without the guilt.  The color is gorgeous--it actually looks orange in color--while also packing the natural citrus of a real orange.  Make as an accompaniment with coffee or tea, or as muffins for a Clearly Delicious baked good and treat.

Orange Bread
Like all of my favorite recipes, this orange bread comes from Elise Bauer over at Simply Recipes (you can find the original here).  Elise says to use "Seville Oranges" if available, but I prepared this dish with the fresh juice of a naval orange and its natural zest.  Also, I've made several minor changes: one to the glaze as I had no confectioner's sugar on hand, but brown sugar instead; two, I've used lemon flavored yogurt instead of plain yogurt; and third, I've included 1/2 cup dates instead of 1/2 cup yellow raisins. 


Ingredients:
* 1/3 cup butter (5 1/3 tablespoons), softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1-2 Tablespoons orange zest (fresh and preferably from the orange you'll be juicing)
* 2 cups all purpose flour (or whole wheat for a hardier flavor)
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 cup yogurt (I used lemon flavored)
* 1/2 cup dates

Glaze
* 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed if you have it)
* 1/4 cup brown sugar

1.) Begin by zesting and juicing your orange.  Set aside.

2.) Preheat oven to 350F.  Cut butter into 1 inch cubes and grease a standard loaf pan (4x8 inches).

3.) Soften butter (30 seconds in microwave) and add to your Kitchenaid mixer.  On low speed, add 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, salt, baking powder, baking soda, orange zest, and cinnamon.

4.) Add yogurt and mix to integrate.  Slowly add 2 cups of flour and mix until batter has fully formed.  Stop mixer so that you can scrape down the sides of your bowl.  Turn mixer back on and integrate dates.

5.) Pour batter into greased loaf pan.

7.) Cook loaf at 350F for about 40 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

8.) Allow bread to sit for 1-2 minutes, loosen from pan, and transfer to a cooling rack.

9.) While bread is cooling, prepare the glaze: mix 1 tablespoon orange juice with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/4 cup brown sugar using a small whisk or fork.

10.) Poke holes (using a toothpick) into the top of the bread.

11.) Pour glaze over the bread slowly so that the holes can absorb the glaze.

12.) Cut into 1 inch pieces and serve.  Makes 8-10.  Enjoy!

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