scrummy date loaf...

There is a lady at my local market who makes the yummiest date loaf I have ever tasted, and last week I made it my mission to find a recipe for date loaf that came close to hers.

I found a recipe via Google that seemed pretty straight forward. The first loaf came out a bit average, but with a bit of tweaking I think I have found a winner!! I like my date loaf dense and moist. So I doubled the dates, halved the sugar and knocked 15 minutes off the cooking time...

This recipe will make two loaves. I doubled it because I am a bit greedy. After only making one loaf a few times, and then being disappointed 20 minutes later when it has all been eaten, I have decided that I will only ever make two of any tea cake... One for now, one for later...

You will need -

4 cups of pitted dates chopped
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups boiling water
120grams butter
3 1/2 cups self raising flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 teaspoons of vanilla essence

In a large bowl combine your dates, boiling water, sugar and butter. Cut your butter into smaller pieces so that it melts faster.

Add your vanilla essence...

Sift your flour and baking powder into the bowl and combine...

Pour your mixture into your loaf tins - I like to line mine with baking paper...

Cook in a moderate oven for 30 minutes...

YUM!!

Now if you are like me, you will make a cuppa and eat half of the cake while it is still hot. If you have made two cakes, you can let the other one cool down, wrap it in muslin/baking paper/cotton fabric, tie it up with twine, and feel like a most wonderful domestic goddess for the rest of the day...