Date and Walnut Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 170 g dates, pitted (chopped finely)
• 115 g unsalted butter (melted)
• 120 ml boiling water
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 135 g light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 200 g self raising flour (See notes to make your own)
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 100 g walnuts

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare. Grease the base and sides of a 2lb loaf pan. Line with parchment paper letting the sides overhang the pan to form a sling. This helps lift the bread out later on.

2. 2

   Soak the dates. Add the dates, butter, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water into a large mixing bowl and stir together. Set aside for 15 minutes. Pre-heat the oven to 180℃/350℉.

3. 3

   Add in sugar and eggs. Add in the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract and whisk together well.

4. 4

   Add in dry ingredients. Sift into the mixing bowl the flour and salt. Chop half of the walnuts finely and add them in Using a rubber spatula, fold through the flour until a few streaks remain. Take care not to over-mix.

5. 5

   Bake. Pour batter into the prepared pan and level off with an offset spatula. Add the remaining walnuts in halves, quarters or chopped over the top of the batter. Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until the loaf is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Tent with aluminium foil if the walnuts or loaf is browning too quickly (Check progress after 40 minutes.)Once baked, cool in the pan for ten minutes then lift out onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.