Great-Grandma Cathy's Date Loaf Candy

4.3
(12)
10 Reviews
2 Photos

Handed down from my great-grandmother, and one of my father's all-time favorite holiday treats. Store in the refrigerator (rolled in the cloth), and it will keep for weeks. Otherwise, it becomes hard and sugary.

Submitted by Amanda Vickers
Updated on September 9, 2023
2
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
10
Yield:
10 servings
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 servings

  • 2 cups white sugar

  • 1 cup milk

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 1 cup chopped dates

  • 1 cup chopped pecans

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Stir sugar, milk, and butter together in a saucepan; bring to a boil without stirring once the boiling begins. Heat until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball or until the mixture reaches 250 degrees F (120 degrees C), about 20 minutes. Immediately remove saucepan from heat and stir dates, pecans, and vanilla into the milk mixture.

  2. Thoroughly wet a piece of cheesecloth and lay out onto a flat work surface. Pour the candy mixture into the middle of the cloth and roll the cloth around it to shape into a log.

  3. Refrigerate until hard, 8 hours to overnight. Remove log from cloth and slice.

Cook’s Note

You can use a heavy cotton cloth if you do not have cheesecloth, but do not use terrycloth.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

335 Calories
13g Fat
56g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 335
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 43mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 53g
Protein 2g 5%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 45mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 201mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.