Date and Walnut Cake

Method

1. Rub some oil around the inside of a 20cm/8” round deep, loose bottom cake tin or line it with parchment paper. Pre-heat the oven.
2. Put the dates and water into a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil.
3. Remove from the heat, stir in the bicarbonate of soda and leave to cool.
4. Break the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the sugar and beat together until light and airy.
5. Mix in the oil followed by the self-raising flour.
6. Break the walnuts into small pieces, reserve a tablespoon for later and add the rest to the mixing bowl.
7. Add the prepared dates and mix everything together.
8. Tip the mixture into your prepared cake tin and smooth the top.
9. Sprinkle the reserved chopped walnuts over the top.
10. Bake for 55-60 minutes.
11. Allow to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.