Date & Walnut Loaf

Sharing my recipe of date and walnut loaf (because the shape resembles to a bread).I often bake this one because my toddler son is a fan of this one. He loves carrying a few pieces at school, most importantly I am happy that the lunch box is polished within no time. I'm sure most of the mothers would have the same to say. I usually love having a piece (a bit warmed and served) with a strong brew or tea.A perfect coffee-tea time snack I say.Here's my recipe....

Ingredients

½ cup walnuts

1½ cup dates deseeded & chopped

2 cups wheat flour
½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

½ cup sugar

1½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup boiling water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence
Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C & place rack in center of oven. Put a wax paper inside the loaf pan, lightly toast the walnuts for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop coarsely OR dry roast on a pan.

In a large bowl mix the dates with the baking soda and a pinch of salt. Pour boiling hot water (1 cup) over the dates, stir, and leave to cool to room temperature

In another mixing bowl add wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt. Combine the mixture, then add the butter. this mixture resemble to breadcrumbs, then stir in the chopped walnuts.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the vanilla essence

Now fold the dry mixture and beaten egg mixture into the cooled dates along with the water.

Pour this batter into the Loaf pan and bake until the bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, this take about 55 to 60 minutes. leave it to cool on a wire rack

Makes 18-20 pieces of ½" thickness.This can be stored in the freeze for a week in a air tight box.