Ingredients

1 Box Date Quick Bread mix

1-1/2 cups freshly squeezed Texas orange juice

1 tablespoon orange zest

1/4 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons oil

Directions

To the Date Quick Bread mix, add the next five ingredients.  Follow the box instructions for beating.  Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease the bottom of a 8×4 inch loaf pan.  Pour batter into the pan.  Cook for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Let cool completely .  Loosen and remove from pan. 

Cut the bread horizontally into two equal portions.  Top the bottom portion with icing.  Top with the other bread portion and finish icing the top.  Place a couple of toothpicks down into the bread to keep it from moving.  Garnish with extra zest if desired.

Icing: 

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 cap vanilla

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon Texas orange zest

Combine the four ingredients together.  Juice the zested orange.  Add small amounts of juice at a time until the powdered sugar reaches a smooth but not runny consistency.  Add to the middle and top of the Texas Orange Date Bread.