Date & Walnut Quick bread

Ingredients

1 cup dates, pitted and chopped

1 cup hot water

1/4 cup salted butter

2 tbsp oil

150 g or 3/4 cup packed brown sugar or coconut sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts plus 5-6 for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

2. Grease & line a 9x5 inch loaf pan or an 8x8” square pyrex can also be used.

3. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring dates and water to a boil.

4. Stir in 1/4 cup butter and the sugar, stir until melted, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Let cool for 10-15 minutes.5.

5. Mash the dates with the back of a fork until a smooth paste forms. Transfer to a bowl.

6. Blend in flour, eggs and vanilla. Stir in chopped walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.7.

7. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.