This classic British loaf gets a wee bit of an update by having a crunchy sesame seed and walnut top. It adds a more rich nutty flavour to an already nutty sticky malt like loaf that has such sweetness and warm.
Date and Walnut Loaf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/4 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups chopped dates
2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground flax seed
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
1/4 cup olive oil
sesame seeds, for decorating
extra chopped walnuts, for decorating
Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC)
Grease a 2lb. ( 9 x5 x 3 inch ) loaf pan or loaf baking dish and line the bottom with baking parchment. Set aside.
Place the water into a medium saucepan and bring the water to a boil over medium high heat. Once the water has boiled, stir in the chopped dates and turn the heat down to medium low. Constantly stirring until thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a large bowl add the flour, ground flax seed, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together until combine. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
In a medium bowl add the milk, egg, vanilla extract and olive oil and beat together until combined.
Add the milky egg mixture and the cooled date mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined. The batter will be lumpy however it should not have any flour streaks.
Pour or spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top generously with sesame seeds and chopped walnuts. Bake in the preheated oven for 65 to 70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, a few moist crumbs are fine. If you notice the loaf browning too much before it is fully baked place a piece of aluminum foil over top to prevent excessive browning.
Notes: If you wish to substitute the white sugar for dark brown sugar just swap and pack the brown sugar, for a 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar instead of the 1/2 cup white sugar.