Nanna's Date Loaf
Most versatile cake you can bake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dates or any chopped dried fruit to your taste. I used dried apricots and citrus above. I've also used frozen and fresh berries. Would not recommend prunes.
- 1 tsp bicarbonate soda
- 1/2 cup caster sugar or if you prefer brown, make it tightly packed. I've also tipped in extra sugar for good luck and it's been fine.
- 1/2 cup walnuts or any nuts you like, pecans or cashews work well. You could also leave out the nuts.
- 40 grams butter
- 1½ cups self-raising flour
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180℃/350℉.
- Grease standard (23cm / 9") loaf tin and line with baking paper.
- Soak fruit, bicarbonate soda, sugar and butter in boiling water for a couple of minutes or until slightly softened.
- Toss in flour and nuts and mix. You don't even need to sift the flour. The mixture will be moderately runny.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until browned and a skewer comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in tin for 15 minutes before turning out onto wire rack. Store in airtight container. You can freeze individual slices for lunchboxes.