This easy Vegan Cranberry Date Bread is so delicious and versatile. It pairs perfectly with a fresh cup of coffee for an indulgent breakfast, yet it is sweet enough to count as dessert. It is made in one bowl with less than 10 minutes of prep.
For more delicious bread recipes, check out this Vegan Rye Bread or Cinnamon Raisin Bread.
For more recipes using dates, try these Crunchy Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates.
Why You’ll Love Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
- Quick & easy – This bread comes together in under an hour with less than 10 minutes of prep. It is made in one bowl, so less mess!
- Customizable – Swap dried cranberries for dried blueberries if you prefer. Add chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch.
- Versatile – Filling enough for breakfast yet sweet enough to be dessert – this bread does it all.
Ingredients For Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
- Dates – One cup of chopped Medjool dates, soaked in coffee, is the star of the show for this recipe. They add a rich flavor while also adding some sweetness.
- Dried cranberries – The cranberries provide a balancing tart flavor to this bread. Swap with blueberries or omit entirely if you aren’t a fan.
- Sugar – Granulated white or cane sugar is what I typically use, but you can use brown sugar as well. *A note about granulated sugar: Not all granulated sugar is vegan, make sure to choose a USDA Organic variety to ensure it is not processed with bone char, an animal ingredient.
- Molasses – You can omit this if you don’t have it, but it adds some extra flavor.
- Oil – Any neutral oil such as vegetable, canola, or avocado will do.
- Plant milk – I prefer oat milk for my baking, but you can choose whatever type you’d like.
- Flour – I prefer all-purpose flour, but you can swap with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour replacement if needed.
- Baking essentials – Baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt round out the baking essentials for this recipe.
Helpful Equipment For Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
In addition to measuring cups and spoons, the following equipment is helpful for this recipe:
How to Make Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pre-Soak the Dates
Chop the dates and place them into a heat-resistant cup or glass. To soften the dates, we will soak them in a fresh cup of coffee for just a few minutes.
Tip: If you have a large heat-resistant measuring cup (like Pyrex) and a coffee machine capable of brewing a single cup, you can brew a fresh cup of coffee right into the measuring cup with the chopped dates to soak them.
Make the Dough
Once the dates have soaked, drain the coffee and discard. Add the soaked dates into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and all wet ingredients. Stir until combined.
Next, add the dry ingredients and stir until no streaks of flour remain in the dough. This dough will be quite thick (pictured below)
Time to Bake
Transfer the dough to a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
This cranberry date bread pairs perfectly with a fresh cup of coffee for breakfast or with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream for dessert. There are no rules!
How to Store Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
- Room Temp: Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze whole loaves or slices of this bread for up to 3 months. Thaw fully before toasting or zapping in the microwave.
More Tips for Making Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
- Not Vegan? Swap the oil with melted butter. Or swap the plant milk for dairy milk.
- Oil-free? Swap the oil with equal parts applesauce. The bread may take a few extra minutes to bake fully.
- Gluten-free? Swap with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour replacement and choose a certified gluten-free plant milk and you’re all set.
FAQ: Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
Can you freeze Vegan Cranberry Date bread?
Yep! Freeze whole loaves or individual slices for up to 3 months for the best flavor.
Do you HAVE to soak the dates first?
Honestly, no. I am all for skipping steps when possible, so skip this one if you just don’t have it in you. The bread will just be missing a touch of extra flavor from the coffee, and the dates will be slightly firmer but still totally chewable. Your call!
Vegan Cranberry Date Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates chopped, pitted
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp molasses
- ¼ cup oil
- ½ cup oat milk
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Begin by chopping your dates and soaking them in a fresh, hot cup of coffee.
- Once the dates have soaked for about 3 minutes, drain the coffee and discard. Add the soaked dates to a large mixing bowl with the sugar, molasses, oil, oat milk, vanilla extract, and cranberries. Stir to combine.
- Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until a dough has formed. This dough will be thick.
- Transfer the dough to an oiled or parchment-lined bread pan.
- Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Not Vegan? Swap the oil with melted butter. Or swap the plant milk for dairy milk.
- Oil-free? Swap the oil with equal parts applesauce. The bread may take a few extra minutes to bake fully.
- Gluten-free? Swap with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour replacement and choose a certified gluten-free plant milk and you’re all set.
Nutrition
Please note, while all ingredients used in this recipe have been verified to be vegan and free of applicable allergens at the time of recipe creation, different brands may differ in their ingredients or processing procedures and may change their ingredients at any time. For some recipes, I do include ingredients that are processed in a facility that processes other allergens. Please make sure to check the ingredients and processing procedures for your specific purchases to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Last Updated on April 11, 2025
Cranberries and dates are such a good combo! My whole family loves this recipe!
Wow, this looks amazing! I recently had to eliminate gluten and dairy from my diet due to a new diagnosis, so I’m excited to try the gluten free version of this bread! I love dates and they’re so good for us!
I hope you love it!!
This looks really good! Do you think this recipe would work if I just replace the flour with a gluten free mix?
Absolutely! Any 1:1 gluten-free baking flour replacement should work! Let me know how you like it!
I love cranberry bread! Will have to add dates next time. Thank you for giving different substitution ideas for gf and non-vegan!
Good pics. This looks good.
Thank you!
Great recipe! Will pin this for later!