LAST UPDATED: | PUBLISHED: | BY: Kim
This easy to make Healthy Date Loaf contains no refined sugars and is naturally sweetened with lots of juicy ripe dates and ground cinnamon spice. It’s a healthy date cake recipe with only 8 ingredients that is quick and easy, lovely and moist, andcan be eaten straight away or cut into slices and frozen in ziplock bags.
Jump to Recipe
This date bread is ideal for clean eating snacks throughout the week to pack into your lunchbox for morning break, or as an afternoon treat. Just like this Chocolate Date Cake with luscious Ganache!
Ingredients
- Wholemeal Plain Flour: Can be swapped with spelt or oat flour.
- Cream of Tartar and Bicarb: These are Leavening agents. Cream of tartar makes baked goods light and fluffy, while bicarbonate of soda helps the dough rise.
- Ground Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Medjool Dates: Medjool dates, rich in natural sweetness and fiber, provide a sweet and chewy element to the dish.
- Milk: Milk serves to moisten the dough, contributing to a tender and flavorful texture.
- Eggs and Vegetable Oil: Eggs are the binding agent and vegetable oil provides moisture and tenderness.
Recipe Tips
- Use a silicone loaf tin and grease the tin with butter and line with baking/parchment paper
- Take the dates out of the fridge half an hour before you need them to let them come to room temperature. Use boiling water to soften dates for 10 minutes, then chop finely
- Don’t overwork the batter, mix gently to combine and then spoon into the tin
- 5 minutes before it’s due to come out of the oven, check to see if it is cooked by testing it with a skewer. If skewer comes out clean, remove from oven. Also it should be a light golden colour on top
- Don’t overbake your healthy date loafor it will end up being tough and dry
Dates are a great way to add natural sweetness to baked goods if you’re wanting to avoid or even just eat less refined sugars. Also, if you don’t like the taste of stevia or other natural sweeteners, this is a baked good you need to make as the only sweetener is the dates themselves.
This is definitely a healthy date cake recipe that is moist, low fat and free from refined white sugars.
Which Dates to Use?
Medjool dates are definitely my top pick for making this healthy date cake! They're larger size, soft and chewy texture, and a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
However if you don't have access to Medjool dates, Deglet Noor dates are a common alternative. They are smaller and slightly drier than Medjool dates but still provide a natural sweetness and chewiness to the recipe.
Deglet Noor dates are generally considered to be less sweet than Medjool dates so I'd recommend adding extra dates or even doubling the dates if you have a sweet tooth.
Tip
This date loaf recipe freezes well. Just cut into slices and pop into ziplock bags and store in the freezer for upto one month.
Related Posts:
- Oat Flour Banana Bread (no added sugar!)
- Easy Lemon Loaf
- Sugar free Gingerbread Loaf
This is a one bowl healthy date loaf which means its quick and convenient with minimal clean up. 30 minutes in the oven and you've got sugar free snacks for the rest of the week!
How Sweet is this Date Loaf?
Dates are free from added sugar and refined sugar, but they do contain naturally occurring sugars. They are a great sweetener substitute in baking plus you get the added fibre of the dates.
This date loaf is sweet if you're used to eating low sugar baked goods. If you're not, you might want to add one tablespoon of Monkfruit sweetener to satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you’re a fan of dates, you might like these other recipes where I’ve used dates as a sweetener:
Sugar Free Ginger Biscuits, Sugar Free Ginger Loaf Cake, Sugar Free Caramel Slice Bites, and Sugar Free Bliss Balls.
Recipe Add-Ins
- Add some sugar free chocolate chips
- Add ½ a teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and ground cloves
- Add ¼ cup dried cranberries, diced
- Add ¼ cup small dried organic blueberries
- Add a tablespoon of Chia seeds for extra protein
- Add ½ a cup of chopped walnuts for texture and crunch
A healthy date bread recipe is one of my favouite things to have with my morning coffee. This clean eating no added sugar version is still moist, contains fibre from the wholemeal flour, protein from the eggs and makes 8 thick slices.
Healthy Date Loaf
Kim
The Healthy Date Loaf is a simple and nutritious recipe, featuring no refined sugars. Sweetened naturally with ripe dates and ground cinnamon, this easy-to-make cake requires only 8 ingredients. It is quick, moist, and can be enjoyed immediately or sliced and frozen for later convenience.
4.72 from 75 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Snack
Servings 8 thick slices
Calories 236 kcal
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Wholemeal Plain flour
- 1 teaspoon Cream of tartar - (See note 1)
- ½ teaspoon Bicarb Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 cup Medjool Dates - (See note 2)
- ½ cup Milk
- 2 medium eggs
- ¼ cup Vegetable Oil + 2 tablespoons
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C/350 degrees F
In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the flour, cream of tartar, bicarb and ground cinnamon. Mix with a spoon to combine.
Add the milk, eggs, and vegetable oil, and stir to combine. Add the chopped dates and stir to combine again.
Grease a silicone loaf tin with butter or oil and line with greaseproof paper.
Pour in the cake batter and smooth over the top
Bake in oven at180 degrees C/350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
Let cake cool in the silicone loaf tin until it comes to room temperature.
Remove from silicone loaf tin and discard baking paper.
Option 1: Store in an air tight container at room temperature and eat within 2 days.
Option 2: Cut into 8 slices and place into ziplock bags/airtight container and freeze for upto 3 weeks. To serve, let it defrost naturally or warm in microwave for 10-20 seconds and eat with a light spread of butter.
Notes
- Cream of Tartar is a leavening agent, readily available in the baking aisle of supermarkets. This recipe works best when using both Bicarb Soda and Cream of Tartar.
- The medjool dates should be at room temperature. Remove seeds and chop roughly into small chunks and measure out 1 packed cup.
- The sugars in this recipe come from the naturally occurring sugars in the dates. No other sweeteners have been used in this recipe and as such it may not be as sweet as you are used to. If you have a sweet tooth and prefer sweeter baked goods, I'd suggest adding 1 tablespoon of granulated sweetener such as Monkfruit.
- Substitutions: Sub wholemeal plain flour with spelt flour or oat flour. Sub vegetable oil with olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil, or even unsweetened apple sauce if looking to make it lower in calories.
Nutrition
Calories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gFiber: 2gSugar: 18g
Note: Sugars contained in this recipe are from naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables or other natural sweeteners. Calories have been calculated for your convenience using My Fitness Pal and are based on the ingredients listed in the recipe card.
Looking To Cut Out Sugar? Get the FREE Quick and Easy Food Swaps Checklist Pack!Get your FREE Quick and Easy Food Swaps Checklists with over 65 Simple Real Food Alternatives to Help you Ditch The Sugar Without Feeling Deprived.
★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
More Sugar Free Baking Recipes
- Moist Oat Flour Banana Bread (Oil-Free)
- Banana Carrot Muffins
- Fudgy Cheesecake Brownies
- Coconut Bread Loaf With Coconut Milk
Hi there! I’m Kim and I'm passionate about living a life infused with mindfulness, simplicity and self-care. Here I share my recipes, tips, insights and wisdom for eating well, slowing down and reconnecting with the things that matter.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Martine
Would date paste, blended into the wet ingredients, be an alternative to chopped dates?Reply
Kim
Yes, I think this would work!Reply
Emma
Hi, I have an intolerance to oils and also can’t have applesauce either. Can I replace the oil with melted butter? Or perhaps maple syrup?
Thank you!Reply
Kim
Hi, yes you could replace the oil with melted butter. I would not use maple syrup as that would make it too sweet.Reply
Elke
Delicious ! So easy to put together as well. I added walnuts.It's in my recipe file to make again and again!Reply
Marnya Morgan
I love the flavour and mouth feel of this date loaf. I have book marked it to cook regularly. Thanks heaps.Reply
Jan boyd
I made the date loaf but made with dates from pack not the metoReply
Marianne
This loaf is absolutely delicious! I find I like the addition of nutmeg and cloves that you suggest as an optional add-in. I also add in pecans!
I find that choosing soft dates to chop and then lightly coating them in flour helps the dates not sink to the bottom of the pan during cooking. Again, I totally love this recipe and thank you so much for posting it!Reply
Hobby Baker
After my First time try of double quantity - I would give this recipe a 10 Star Rating if it was possible........absolutely "delicioso"........I'll definitely make it again and again and again!!!!!!!Reply
Jaci Lowry
Could you substitute milk for Greek yoghurt??
I might try with coconut oil, walnuts or blueberries! My father in law us diabetic
sure this will be a weekly must have!!Reply
Kim
Yes, you could definitely substitute the milk with greek yoghurt. I'd recommend a full fat greek yoghurt though to make sure its moist and tender.
Reply
Anna Koshi
Made this recipe today. It was awesome. Did not feel guilty eating more than one slice😄😄😄Reply
Kim
So glad you liked it!
Reply
Chris
Can you use extra virgin olive oil instead please
Reply
Kim
Yes you certainly could use extra virgin olive oil. It is a great alternative to the Vegetable Oil.
Reply
Mj
hello there, can i use almond four instead? thanks
Reply
Kim
Using Almond Flour should be fine to use in the same quantity
Reply
Dilini J
Was looking for a no added sugar date loaf and tada!!!!! Thanks for sharing this.
Made this today and it was a hit!!! Very easy to make and taste is amazing.Reply
Kim
So glad you like it!
Reply
CelestialDukie
Wow - made twice now and my husband loves this recipe!Reply
Rashida
Is it possible to substitute cow's milk for water or another type of milk? Love the recipe, tastes absolutely amazing!Reply
Kim
Yes definitely. Oat milk would work.
Reply
Sarah
Can you use melted coconut oil or butter instead of vegetable oil?
Reply
Kim
Coconut oil would work instead of vegetable oil.
Reply
Pauline Kruk
quick, easy & tasty. My brothers are very picky. Both loved it. Gone in less than 2 days!Reply
Araceli Castro
Can I change the oil for apple sauce? I know apple sauce is a good replacement for oil in baking because I made a cake with it; however I don't know if is going to work for this recipe. Did you make it before with AS instead of oil? Thank you
Reply
Kim
Yes, you could change the oil for apply sauce in the same quantities, however it may not be quite as moist. I haven't made this particular recipe swapping the oil for apple sauce, but I have made plenty of other baked goods subbing in applesauce and I find its a great alternative to make it lower in fat and lower in calories.
Reply
Angela
This is awesome. Exactly the right amount of sweetnessReply
Lisa
Simple recipe that tastes delicious. I grew up with mum making a white wings packet date loaf and hated them. I now have a new love of the humble date loaf.Reply
Kim
Thanks Lisa! I love date love too, and I was on a mission to make a healthier version of it. I remember those white wings date loafs as well. My mother used to make those along with the good old Sultana Loaf.
Reply
Elly withets
This looks good and simple to makeReply
Kim
Yep, this is simple to make and it freezes well too.
Reply
