Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 25cm x 10cm loaf pan and line it with baking paper.

Step 2

Place the chopped dates, bicarbonate of soda and oil into a large bowl and pour in 1 cup (250ml) boiling water. Allow to stand for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk the sugar and egg together. Stir in the walnuts and flour. Add to the dates and stir until combined.

Step 4

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5

Slice and serve spread with butter and drizzled with honey.