As you may already know from my blog, I am not a hugely enthusiastic baker but my husband and I do enjoy something nice with our coffee. I am therefore always on the hunt for cakes which deliver maximum flavour and satisfaction for minimum effort. 

 This is one such recipe which is a melange of recipes from Martha Stewart & Deborah Mele. It is very easy to put together and keeps well for up to a week as well as freezing well

Date & Walnut Loaf

1 cup of Pitted Dates, chopped

1.5 cups of Hot Water

1/3 cup Extra Light Olive Oil

1 Egg

1 tspn Vanilla Extract

2 cups of Plain Flour

1 tspn Bicarbonate of Soda

¾ cup Brown Sugar

½ tspn Salt

1 cup Walnuts, chopped

1 tspn Cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 180 deg C and lightly grease a 20cm x 10cm loaf pan.  

Allow the chopped dates to soak in the hot water for about 15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour, bicarbonate of soda, brown sugar, salt, chopped walnuts and cinnamon. 

Add the olive oil, egg and vanilla extract to the chopped date mixture and lightly whisk together. Add this wet mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients and combine until thoroughly mixed together. 

Pour into the loaf pan and pop into the oven for about 55 minutes until an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Allow to cool before taking out of the loaf pan and then slice and enjoy!