1 ½ cups chopped fresh dates (approximately 250 g)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ cup castor sugar
1 egg, whisked
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
3 tablespoons orange zest
Method …
Preheat oven to 180C. Grease 2 small loaf tins (measuring 18 cm long x 8.5 cm wide x 6 cm deep) and then line the base and two sides with baking paper.
Combine chopped dates, water and butter in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine self-raising flour, baking power and castor sugar and stir to combine.
Add egg, vanilla essence and orange zest to cooled date mixture and stir to combine.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well to combine.
Spoon the mixture evenly into the two prepared loaf tins. Bake for approximately 35 minutes until nicely browned on the top. To test the loaves are cooked, insert a skewer into the centre of the loaf which should come out cleanly. Allow the loaves to stand in the tins for approximately 5 minutes before placing on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, the loaves can be sliced and frozen in individual serves.
Recipe by Mrs Organised at http://www.mrsorganised.com.au/2016/02/27/date-and-orange-loaf/