Ingredients
- 200 g pitted dates, chopped
- 240 ml boiling water
- 120 ml Québec maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 45 ml canola oil
- 180 g whole-wheat flour
- 5 g baking soda
- 2 g baking powder
- 2 g salt
- 75 g chopped walnuts
Method
- Heat the oven to 175 °C and line a 23 x 13 cm loaf pan.
- Pour boiling water over the dates and rest for 10 minutes; stir in maple syrup, egg, and oil.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then fold into the date mixture with the walnuts.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, until a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs; cool before slicing.
Conversion and rationale
Original sweetener (classic version): 150 g brown sugar
Conversion used: Replace 150 g brown sugar with 120 ml maple syrup; reduce the traditional 180 ml water by 60 ml and lower the usual 190 °C oven by 15 °C.
Why Quebec maple syrup: Dates provide concentrated fruit sweetness and fiber, allowing a smaller amount of added sweetener. Whole-wheat flour, walnuts, and maple create a moist loaf with more nutrient density than the classic version.
General rule: 1 cup (250 ml) sugar ≈ 3/4 cup (180 ml) maple syrup; reduce liquids by 45–60 ml per cup of syrup and lower oven by 15 °C. Substitution calculator →