Low Fat Whole Wheat Date and Walnut Loaf (Vegan)



Our daughter came in running, pulling us excitedly to come out and acknowledge her discovery. She had spotted a huge bird in the wood apple tree. It was a Crow Pheasant. Some years ago it was a common sight to see crow pheasants in the foothills. Loss of habitat has made it almost extinct. Spotting one after so many years was indeed a happy moment.


For the last two days we have been covering and labeling our daughter’s books and notebooks as she prepares to join the school. The task seems gargantuan even as our fingers work dexterously through covers and scissors but get fatigued after completing three at a time. Meanwhile our daughter squeals with joy as she flips through the pages of the new books and is amused by illustrations and stories some of which she is familiar with. A surge of anxiety grips me when I see the voluminous study material. Then I remember the assuring words of the Principal about going slowly and being selective about topics. I have to repose faith in her…….keeping aside my apprehensions, I get down to baking a vegan Date loaf cake that I had planned to. Whisking flours, chopping dates, and other chores crease out all the stress and a moist healthy cake has us all chomping the delicious slices during tea time.


Whole Wheat Date Walnut Loaf (Vegan)

Ingredients


  • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoon mixed spice powder (4 cloves, 1 stick cinnamon, 1 green cardamom, ¼ piece nutmeg)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Instructions


  1. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease and dust one 7x3 inch loaf tin. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. Combine hot water, chopped dates and sugar in a large bowl. Cover and keep for 15 minutes. The dates will become soft. Mash them against the sides of the bowl with a spoon. Let the mixture cool. Add oil and vanilla essence.
  3. Whisk together flours, soda and spice mix.
  4. Add flour mix to date mix till well incorporated. Do not over mix. Fold in chopped walnuts.
  5. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Level the top and sprinkle some chopped walnuts.
  6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Stand for 10 minutes before turning onto wire rack. Slice next day.
My Notes: Spices can be adjusted according to taste.







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13 comments:

  1. I dont mind having a super huge slice of this wonderful vegan loaf, stunning.

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  2. I love the combination of walnuts and dates and have been itching to make a tea cake for a long time. The loaf looks delicious.

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  3. I really love seeing the wildlife in your country Namita. I would never have known that a crow pheasant even existed let alone be able to see one. This cake looks like something that everyone would love. It would be perfect sliced in kids lunches but equally at home on the side of a large mug of tea. Beautiful cake, bird and share Namita :)

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  4. This sounds delicious. I would like to try this recipe, how much chopped walnuts should I add? Thank you.

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  5. Hello Dhonna, You may add 1/3 cup chopped walnuts. Thanks for your query. I have added that to the recipe .

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  6. hi thought i was the one who only knew how to make guava cheese but here you are one too. the best way to get rig to the sandy texture is to blend it for some time which will reduce the texture about 90% or even to a smooth paste. well we both live in the himalayan range what part do you live in i live in the higest peaks of the world. we both have the same taste of recipes too. people who know about these recipes come from a very strong back ground of cooking skills. so like to extand the hands of friend ship and exchange recipes too.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jeff jeff, Firstly thanks a lot for your valuable suggestion on getting a smooth texture in Guava Cheese. Next time when i make guava cheese, i'll remember your trick.
      It is such a beautiful feeling to know that there is someone out there who lives in the Himalayan range and shares common tastes and interests. I live in foothills of Himalayas in Kumaon. If you drive uphill 40 kilometers, you get a glimpse of the majestic Himalayas.
      Which part of the Himalayas are you in? Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  7. Replies
    1. Hi Riccha, You may skip spice powder. However, it adds a great a flavour. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence more.
      Happy Baking!

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  8. Instead of brown sugar we can add normal sugar?

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    Replies
    1. Hello Khyati, nice to hear from you after such a long time. Yes, you may use normal sugar in place of brown sugar. Happy Baking!

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  9. Hey Namita,
    Great recipes. Can you tell what brand whole wheat flour you use? Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Hello! I use the finely ground wholewheat flour. Generally, sharbati. It is available in all the reputed brands.

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