Put on my fav music of the day .... Josh Groban .Put on fresh clean apron ...smash open Ingrids delicious home grown Walnuts and make Date Walnut and Dark Chocolate Polka Dot Cake .
12 oz self raising flour.
1 teaspoon baking powder.
2oz unsalted butter.
12 oz or so of dates.
4 oz walnuts.
2 oz soft brown sugar.
quarter of a pint of water.
2 Eggs.
3 tablespoons of milk.
About half a packet Dark Chocolate polkadots or smash up a small bar of plain chocolate into small pieces....do not indulge !
Sieve flour and baking powder and rub in the butter with your finger tips .
Chop the dates small making sure all stones are removed .
Bash up the walnuts . Sometimes I grind them up in the blender for a delicious much softer texture.... especially good if you are expecting people with no teeth for tea .
Add nuts and sugar into the flour.
Soften the dates with the water in a saucepan..let cool..then add to the mixture with the milk and beaten eggs .
Tip into your 2lb loaf tin , I always line with buttered parchment paper and use enough to cover loosely over the top . Stops it from over browning on top .
Bake for about 45 mins at oven temp 180 degrees 345 degrees F Gas mark 4-5 Uncover the top of the parchment lid for last 5 mins or so . test by gently pushing in a knife ..if it comes out clean then the cake is ready to take out . It might need a few more mins . I usualy turn it out, straight away , to cool on a cooling rack . Brush with runny honey ..... or sprinkle with demerara sugar .....decorate with walnut halves ....or maybe not !
