Sufra Dayma:

Date loaf

By Moushira Abdel-Malek

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Makes 2 (28x11cm) rectangular loaves

Ingredients:

2 cups self-raising plain flour

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 1/2 cups chopped, pitted dates

1 tsp sodium bicarbonate

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

Method:

Add butter, sugar, water, dates, walnuts and salt in a saucepan. Bring to the boil gently. Remove from heat. Add sodium bicarbonate and allow to cool. Add well-beaten egg with vanilla. Mix cinnamon with flour and fold into cooled off mixture. Divide mixture into lightly greased two rectangular non-stick loaf tins. Cook in preheated oven of 180 degrees for approx 45 minutes. Allow to cool in tins, then remove, slice and serve.