An easy loaf to make and freezes well.

Ingredients

1 cup dates, chopped

1 t baking soda

1 T golden syrup

1 cup sugar

1 t vanilla

50 g margarine or butter chopped into cubes

1 cup hot water

2 cups plain flour

1 t baking powder

½ cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180º C and lightly grease a medium to large loaf tin.
2. Place the dates, baking soda, golden syrup, sugar, vanilla and margarine into a medium bowl.
3. Add the hot water and stir until the margarine is melted and the ingredients are well mixed.
4. Put the flour, baking powder and walnuts into a large bowl and stir to combine. Make a 'well' in the centre of the flour and pour the liquid ingredients into the 'well'; stir quickly with a spoon until well mixed and no flour can be seen.
5. Turn the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the centre of the loaf comes out clean.