Honey Nut Date Bread

I love life's roller coaster; I crave drama and surprises and unanticipated outcomes.  But even for us adrenaline junkies, once in a while it's nice to embrace the sure-to-deliver and guaranteed not-to-disappoint things in life.

And that's exactly what this Honey Nut Date Bread is -- a comforting, reliable confection that, while it won't knock your socks off, will make you very, very happy.

First, it's easy to make.  It involves no tricky techniques that could potentially torpedo the finished product.  If you can measure, chop and mix, you're good to go.  Second, it tastes better the next day, and even better the day after that.  Third, it's good any time: as delicious for breakfast as it is with your afternoon coffee.

I used a combination of fabulous medjool dates (above) and lowest common denominator dates from Costco, and I think the bread would have been just as good using all Costco dates.  If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own -- just mix one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk and let it stand for about five minutes.  Then proceed with the recipe.

Honey Nut Date Bread is really a cake, one with a mellow flavor from the honey and a finely textured crumb. Next time you're looking for a sure-thing baked good, I do hope you'll try this.  No disappointment guaranteed.