American Spiced Date Loaf
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup chopped dried dates
- 1 cup water
- 2 ounces butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 2 cups self raising flour
- 2 teaspoons mixed spice
- 3 teaspoons dried ginger
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) or 1/2 cup pecans (optional)
- In a ceramic or glass bowl, place the sugar, dates and water. Microwave until brought to the boil (this will depend on the make of your microwave), but 2-3 minutes is "normal". Set this aside to cool. While cooling grease and line your loaf tin and turn on your oven to 180oC.
- Beat your egg in a separate bowl (a large one).
- Add the cooled mixture and vanilla to the egg then add the sifted flour and spices. Add the nuts here if you are using them and mix well.
- Place in your prepared loaf tin and bake for 30 -35 minutes (or until cooked when tested with a skewer).
- Cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes, turn onto a wire rack. Best served warm with lashings of butter.
brown sugar, dates, water, butter, egg, vanilla, flour, mixed spice, ginger, walnuts
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/american-spiced-date-loaf-506505 (may not work)