Date Maple Wheat Bread!

September is here and I still have a bunch of Dates and Figs left to use. So I decided to make a Date Bread with pureed dates. You can use chopped chunks as well. Here is the Date Bread with chunks of Dates

Pretty pictures and pretty flowers by hubbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup bread flour
• 3-4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 cup dates(10-12)
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons oil or butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Maple syrup
• 1.5 teaspoons active yeast

Directions:

1. Warm half a cup of water and add sugar and yeast to it. Mix well
2. Let it sit for 10 minutes or until frothy.
3. Soak pit-less dates in hot water and keep for an hour.
4. In a blender, blend the dates with a little water coarsely and keep aside.
5. In a greased mixing bowl, add the flours and salt and mix well.
6. Add the oil, yeast mixture, dates and maple syrup and and knead for 8-10 minutes. ( if using stand mixer, 3-4 minute batches with intermittent scraping)
7. Add more water if needed.
8. Place dough in a well greased container, covered in a warm place for 2 hours.
9. Lightly punch the dough and using a little flour knead and shape into a loaf by pulling on all sides and tucking under.
10. Place loaf in well oiled bread pan and cover with damp towel. Let rise for an hour.
11. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 40 minutes.
12. Cool completely before slicing!