Easy-as date loaf

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy cake to whip up this week, you’ve found a winner! This date loaf cake is made in two simple steps and the end result is absolutely beautiful. The dates and brown sugar create a lovely rich flavour that works so well with the mixed spice and hint of maple syrup throughout. If you want to add a little crunch, throw some chopped walnuts into the mix before baking in the oven. Let it cool for a about 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack, then slice off a piece, slather it in butter and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 60g butter, chopped
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 cups self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Method

1. Preheat oven to 170C/150C fan-forced. Lightly grease a 6cm-deep, 10cm x 20cm (base) loaf pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang at long ends.

2. Place dates, sugar, butter, bicarbonate of soda and 1 cup cold water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 6 to 8 minutes or until butter has melted. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 minutes.

3. Sift flour and mixed spice into a bowl. Add egg and date mixture. Fold into flour mixture. Spoon into prepared pan. Smooth surface.

4. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted in centre comes out clean. Prick top of loaf all over with a skewer. Drizzle with maple syrup. Stand in pan for 10 minutes or until syrup has absorbed. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Serve.

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