Step 1

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Step 2

Grease a standard sized loaf tin and set aside.

Step 3

Place the dates into the Thermomix bowl and press Turbo for 5-10 seconds to roughly chop.

Step 4

Add the boiling water and bi-carb soda and mix on 100 degrees, Speed soft, 2 1/2 minutes (watch it carefully as it will bubble up in the bowl).

Step 5

Add the butter and raw sugar and mix for 10 seconds, Speed 6.

Step 6

Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Step 7

Allow to cool slightly.

Step 8

Add the egg and mix on Speed 3 for 5 seconds.

Step 9

Add the self raising flour and plain flour and mix on Speed 7 for 5 seconds.

Step 10

Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for a further 5 seconds on Speed 7.

Step 11

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for approximately 50 minutes (check after 40 minutes), or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Step 12

If the loaf is browning too much, loosely place a sheet of foil over the top and continue baking.

Step 13

Allow to cool for 20 minutes in the tin before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.