Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides for easy unmolding.
Step 2
In a small pot, bring orange juice to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the pitted dates, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
Step 3
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and cloves until thoroughly blended.
Step 4
In the orange-date mixture, add in the Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, Redpath® Granulated Sugar, melted butter, and beaten egg. Whisk until well mixed.
Step 5
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into the well. With a rubber spatula, quickly fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until no flour streaks remain; do not overmix. Some lumps are fine.
Step 6
Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Place into the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes until loaf is golden in colour, and a toothpick inserted into the centre of the loaf comes out clean.
Step 7
Remove from oven and allow loaf to cool slightly in pan; about 10 minutes. Run a small offset spatula around the loaf. With the help of the parchment paper, carefully unmold loaf and place onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Serve this loaf with Brown Sugar Coffee Glaze.
Step 8
The loaf can be kept in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap and kept at room temperature for up to a week, or frozen for up to a month.
*Before juicing any citrus fruit, zest the fruit and use in the recipe or save for future recipes by wrapping the zest in plastic wrap or placing into a small freezer safe bag.
*Firmly roll the citrus fruit on your work surface with the palm of your hand to maximize the amount of juice that is squeezed from it.
*An overmixed batter will create a loaf that is tough and produce a crumb that may have tunnels (large holes).
*Feel free to substitute the dates with any dried fruit, like figs, cherries, or cranberries
Related recipe: Brown Sugar Coffee Glaze
