Cinnamon Date Bread

This is yet another iteration of my healthy Swope Bread. I was craving cinnamon raisin bread, but my daughter doesn't like raisins so I opted for dates as a replacement. The addition of wheat bran and 7 Grain Cereal add to the fiber content, while the walnuts add some healthy omega 3s. My granddaughter loves this bread toasted with butter and I like it as an afternoon sweet treat spread with Kite Hill whipped ricotta cheese.

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients

Dry

• 1 1/2 cups spelt flour

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour

• 1/3 cup +2 tbsp 7 Grain Cereal (or 10 Grain)

• 1/3 cup wheat bran

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tsp cinnamon (plus more for topping)

• 2 tsp baking powder

Other

• 1 3/4 cup unsweetened soy milk

• 3 tsp cider vinegar

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 4-5 Medjool dates (chopped)

• 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

Topping (and inside layer)

• 2-4 tbsp date or coconut sugar

• 1-2 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of flaked sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place parchment paper in a bread pan.

2. Add cider vinegar to soy milk and let it sit for at least 5 minuters to 'sour'.

3. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

4. Chop the dates into small pieces and add them to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers to separate the pieces so they are spread throughout the flour mixture . (Note: Refrigerated dates are easier to chop and spread apart.)

5. Add the walnuts to the date/flour mixture.

6. To the soy milk mixture, add the baking soda, maple syrup, and vanilla and stir. Add wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until combined being careful not to over mix.

7. Pour half the bread batter into the parchment lined bread pan and sprinkle over 1-2 tablespoons of sugar and a tsp of cinnamon. Pour the rest of the batter over the bottom layer and sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of sugar on top and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Add a pinch of flaked sea salt over the top. (Note: If you prefer less sugar, do not add a center layer of sweetness and pour all the batter into the loaf pan at once. However, do add an extra tsp of cinnamon to your dry ingredients.)

8. Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and TURN DOWN the temperature to 350 degrees. Bake for 45-50 minutes and then let cool on a baking rack. (Store the bread in the fridge.)