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What's the Plan for 2026?

Image by rawpixel.com Happy New Year! Ah, there's something about a fresh start. I have my shiny, new hardback notebook/planner, my favorite black Pilot pen, and I've been thinking about what my genealogical priorities should be for 2026.  After reviewing what I accomplished in 2025, here are my ideas for this year:  Genealogy Projects First is a project on my 2x great-grandmother Maria Jane Darragh with a research goal to discover more about her cause of death: "acute mania." Complete research begun on my aunt's ancestors. I recently researched her ancestor Bruno Albaugh, who served as one of Lincoln's bodyguards during the Civil War . There are more goodies in her family lines with surnames Laughlin and Phillips in Ontario, Kelling and Schuber in Lorain County, Ohio, Albaugh and Rittenour in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and more. Can't wait to finish the research and share it with her. Research discoveries found in my ancestors AR-2 Alien Registrati...
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Grandma Gilbride's Date & Nut Bread, 1974

Date & Nut Bread is Santa-approved!

Our genealogy writing group is getting together this week and some of us are going to bring a holiday goodie to share. One of my absolute favorite holiday treats is my Grandma Gilbride's Date & Nut Bread. Grandma Gilbride was born Mary Josephine Baker (1911-1981) in Cleveland. She married my grandfather, Joseph John Gilbride (1910-1990) in 1934 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

I don't have any real memory of Grandma Gilbride making this bread though we probably enjoyed some on a holiday visit to my grandparents' house. Clearly Mom thought it was a winner and asked for the recipe and she started making this bread when I was in my early teens. The recipe card I inherited is dated 12/21/1974. 

When baked the bread usually has a peak running down the length, which cracks open a bit. It's moist, dense, and sweet, with a little crunch of walnuts and nuggets of diced dates. The bread is perfect with a little cream cheese spread on top or just on its own.


I now wonder if anyone knows whether this was a Baker or Cassidy family recipe passed on to Grandma or she found the recipe, decided to make it, and it became a holiday favorite. Cousins? Anyone? 

Maybe you'd like a little slice of heavenly Date & Nut Bread, so here's the recipe copied from Mom's recipe card:

Grandma Gilbride's Date & Nut Bread 12/21/74

POUR 1-1/2 c. boiling water over

1-1/2 c. diced dates. Let cool. 

(8 oz box = 1-1/2 c.)

STIR 1/2 c. brown sugar

1 Tablespoon soft shortening

1 egg

ADD Dates & water

MIX 2-1/4 c. sifted flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

BLEND 1 c. chopped walnuts

POUR into greased 9 x 5 x 3" loaf pan

Let stand for 20 minutes

BAKE 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean

NOTE: Will be moist. Top may crack. 

 

Until next time...happy snacking!

© Nancy Gilbride Casey, 2025. All rights reserved. 

 

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  1. Marian B. WoodDecember 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM

    This bread looks so yummy! Great photos too.

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    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyDecember 17, 2025 at 3:42 PM

      My little group enjoyed it today! (I've since eaten another slice!!) So yummy!!

      Delete
  2. Diane HenriksDecember 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM

    Yum! What a fun post. Thanks for sharing your memories and the recipe for all to enjoy! :)

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    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyDecember 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

      If you try the recipe, you'll have to let me know what you think! Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  3. Cailteux DanielDecember 19, 2025 at 4:11 AM

    Merci Nancy pour le souvenir et la recette : Très appétissant ! Très Lorsque j’étais enfant, ma mère préparait un gâteau de Noël qui ne demande pas de cuisson, un ‘Chrëschtdag Kuch’ (mes parents parlaient le luxembourgeois, le même que tes ancêtres Anne Marie Cailteux et Peter Schiltz). Le gâteau était composé de plusieurs couches de biscuits ‘petits beurre’ recouverts d’une crème au beurre, au chocolat et au café très fort. Until next time. Cousin Daniel

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    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyDecember 19, 2025 at 8:55 AM

      Oh là là, Daniel, ça a l'air délicieux ! Je vous souhaite, à vous et à votre famille, de très bonnes vacances ! À la prochaine...

      Delete
  4. Lisa S. GorrellDecember 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM

    Sounds delicious and doesn't have a lot of sugar, though the dates will sweeten it up, too.

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    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyDecember 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM

      Exactly what my friend said when I told her how much sugar was in it! Hope you have a delicious holiday!

      Delete
  5. Sandra RobertsonDecember 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM

    I enjoyed the date bread with our Roots Writers group. It was delicious and would be great addition to a holiday gathering.

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    Replies
    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyDecember 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM

      Thanks, Sandra. I hope you have a lovely holiday with your family!

      Delete

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