Date and Walnut Loaf

We don't condone being quite so heavy handed with the butter as shown in the illustration.

1 cup pitted dates, chopped

1 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 1/4 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

3/4 cup traditional rolled oats

1 1/4 cups walnuts, chopped

1/2 cup brown sugar

light cream cheese, to serve.

 

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 6.5cm-deep, 9cm x 19cm (base) loaf pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang at both long ends.

Place dates in a heatproof bowl. Pour over boiling water and maple syrup. Stand for 15 minutes.

Sift flour and bicarbonate of soda together into a bowl. Add oats, walnuts and sugar. Stir to combine. Add the date mixture. Stir until well combined.

Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Smooth the surface. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand loaf in pan for 5 minutes. Lift onto a wire rack to cool. Slice and serve with cream cheese.