Oat Date Nut Bread

This bread machine loaf uses applesauce instead of butter or oil, which keeps it moist and tender while adding natural apple sweetness. Rolled oats, chopped dates, toasted walnuts, and cinnamon make every slice taste like something between a hearty breakfast bread and a snack cake.

The dates soften during baking and melt into little pockets of sticky caramel sweetness throughout the loaf. Combined with the applesauce and a small amount of sugar, they provide all the sweetness this bread needs.

Load the bread machine, press start, and walk away. This is a true set-and-forget recipe.

Kitchen Tips

• Toast the walnuts before adding them to the machine. Raw walnuts taste flat in bread, but toasted ones add a deep, roasted nuttiness.
• Chop the dates small so they distribute evenly. Large chunks clump together and create dense, gummy pockets.
• Use unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened applesauce throws off the sugar balance and can make the bread overly sweet.

Variations

• Swap the dates for dried figs or dried apricots for a different dried fruit flavor.
• Add a tablespoon of orange zest for a citrus note that pairs well with the dates and cinnamon.
• Use pecans instead of walnuts for a sweeter, more buttery nut flavor.