DATE AND WALNUT LOAF

Ingredients

250g/8oz  stoned dates, chopped

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Pinch of salt

300ml/1/2 pint hot water

300g/10oz self-raising flour

125g/4oz butter, cut in pieces 

50g/2oz shelled walnuts, chopped

125g/4oz dark soda brown sugar 

1 egg, beaten

METHOD

Grease a 1kg/2lb loaf tin. Preheat the oven to 160C fan/gas mark 4.

Put the dates, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a mixing bowl and pour over the hot water. Set aside until cool.

Meanwhile sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour. Stir in the walnuts and sugar until thoroughly combined.

Mix the dry ingredients into the cooled date mixture and beat in the egg. Pour into the prepared loaf tin and bake in the preheated oven for 1-1 1/2 hours or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Turnout on to a wire rack and leave to cool.