Date and walnut loaf

It's a public holiday today here in Brisbane and I always seem to crave baking on lazy days like today. So today I baked date and walnut loaf. Delicious! Spread with a bit of butter and accompanied with a cup of coffee it makes for the perfect afternoon treat. Recipe below.

Date and walnut loaf

• 1 cup pitted dates, chopped

• 1 cup boiling water

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 1/4 cups plain flour

• 1 tsp bicarbonate soda

• 3/4 cup traditional rolled oats

• 1 1/4 cups walnuts, chopped

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• Butter to serve

Preheat oven to 180˚. Grease a 9cm x 19cm loaf pan and line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang on both sides. Place dates in a heatproof bowl and pour over boiling water and maple syrup. Let stand for 15mins. Sift flour and bicarbonate soda together in a bowl. Add oats, walnuts and sugar and stir to combine. Add the date mixture and stir well until all combined. Spoon mixture into prepared pan and smooth surface. Bake for 40mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and let stand in pan for 5mins. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool. Slice and serve with butter.