This is a small recipe, so I make it in a loaf-shaped tin but it has the lighter texture of a cake. It has a surprising sweet taste of golden syrup.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz/110 gm dates
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3 oz/90 gm butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 cup sifted flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Method:

Place the dates, baking soda and boiling water in a bowl and leave to soak for one hour. Cream the butter and sugar and then add the beaten egg and mix well. Add the date mixture and mix again. Combine the flour and baking powder and add to the mixture and stir to mix. Pour into a small loaf tin (8 1/2 in/22 cm x 4 in/10 cm) and bake at 180 C/350 F for 30 minutes. (if you are using a fan-forced oven  then you will need to lower the temperature by up to 10 degrees centigrade and/or adjust the time). Place on a wire rack to cool and then store in an air-tight container.