Ingredients

• 1/2 cup diced dried dates
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup low-fat (1%) milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, for topping

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
2. Place the dried dates and water in a small saucepan; heat over medium heat until the water simmers; reduce the heat to low and simmer, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center.
4. In another medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar, milk, oil, egg, and vanilla until well blended. Pour into the well of the flour mixture; stir just until combined (do not over-mix), about 1 minute. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack, 5-10 minutes, then remove from the pan and place on the rack to finish cooling.