1/3 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 ounces or 55 grams, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar 145 grams, lightly packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange zest grated (2 oranges)
2 cups all-purpose flour 250 grams
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 3 oranges
3/4 cup pecans 3 ounces or 85 grams coarsely chopped
Equipment
oven
loaf pan
electric mixer with paddle attachment
parchment paper
wire rack
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the bottom of an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pan.
Combine the dates and orange liqueur in a small bowl and set aside for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed for one minute. Scrape down the bowl.
With the mixer on low, add the egg, vanilla, and orange zest.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
With the mixer still on low, add the flour mixture alternately with the orange juice to the creamed mixture, beating only until combined.
By hand, stir in the dates with their liquid, and the pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.