One for the Kids - Yummy Date and Apple Loaf

I made this one on Tuesday morning for some visitors and it is really delicious. Not only that but it is an easy one to make with the kids. It does have a bit of sugar in it but makes quite a big loaf so the amount of sugar in each serving is fairly minimal. Personally, I am of the opinion that I would much prefer my kids to eat a home-made cake with a bit of sugar in it than some processed, pre-packaged rubbish with goodness-knows-what in it but, if you are hugely sensitive about the sugar, you could try reducing it to half the amount.

The recipe I originally found was for date loaf cake but, in my usual tradition, I completely changed the base recipe and did my own thing. So, here it is...enjoy and have fun!!!

PS. This recipe is incredibly quick and easy to make so best made fresh - I did it while getting the kids brekkie!

Date and Apple Loaf Cake

1 cup (155g) dates, pitted and chopped (if you are lazy like me, you can buy pre-chopped dates!)
1 cup (155g) brown sugar
60g butter
275 mls water
2 golden delicious apples, peeled and chopped into small cubes
255g self-raising flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Step 1: Preheat oven to 200 degrees (adjust up or down based on your own oven function). Grease and flour a 22cm x 12cm loaf tin.

Step 2: Put the dates, sugar, butter and water into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 30 mins. If you are stretched for time, you can reduce the water amount to 250mls of boiling water, pour it over the dates, sugar and butter and leave it for 15 mins. I feel the boiling process gives a bit of extra yumminess though!

Step 3: Stir in flour, baking soda, chopped apples and vanilla (no need for sifting).

Step 4: Pour mixture into prepared tin and bake for 40-50 mins. Check part way through cooking and cover with a sheet of baking paper if it is burning.

Step 5: Cool before serving, slice and serve with butter/margarine or just by itself!