British Date and Walnut Loaf Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Prepare Date Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped dates and baking soda. Pour the boiling water over the date mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in Dates and Walnuts:
- Fold in the soaked date mixture and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Transfer to Pan and Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the brown sugar and chopped walnuts evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the loaf cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
This British Date and Walnut Loaf Cake is wonderfully moist and packed with the sweet, rich flavors of dates and nutty walnuts. It’s perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee, and makes a delightful treat for any time of day. Enjoy!