Southern Cola-Date Loaf

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 0.8 cup firmly brown sugar packed
• 1.3 cups coca-cola 
• 8 ounce dates whole pitted chopped
• 1  eggs lightly beaten
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 0.8 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 2 teaspoons lemon rind grated
• 0.3 cup pecans chopped
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 2 tablespoons strong coffee decoction brewed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• oven
• wire rack
• loaf pan
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Bring the cola to a boil in a large saucepan.
2. Remove from heat; stir in brown sugar, oil, and dates.
3. Let cool completely. Stir in coffee and egg, and set aside.
4. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (flour through salt) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.
5. Add cola mixture to dry ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
6. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
7. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Let cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Note: Loaves can also be made in 2 (5 x 3-inch) disposable foil pans for gift giving, if desired.
10. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.