Date & Raisin Loaf (Old Black Joe)

Submitted by Lizzie in NZ

"This is a lovely, large, moist loaf. It has a great flavour in spite of very few ingredients. This is very economical to make as there are no eggs or butter in it."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 50mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Yields: 1 large loaf

ingredients

• 8 ounces pitted dates (chopped)
• 8 ounces seedless raisins (large, golden kind)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

directions

1. Preheat oven to 160 deg Celsius.
2. Line an 8 inch cake tin with baking paper.
3. Combine chopped dates, raisins and baking soda in a large bowl.
4. Pour in the boiling water, stir. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.
5. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
6. Now, fold in the sifted flour and baking powder until just combined. Don't over mix at this point or the loaf will be tough.
7. Bake 160 deg C for approximately 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Leave in tin to cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Reviews

[Cecelia G.]

Can this bread be frozen for future use? Thanks!

 

[Kate Fisher]

This loaf was amazing. We just loved it. Made exactly as written EXCEPT the baking time was off by a mile. I baked this in a 9" pie pan at 320 degrees for 45 minutes. And I probably could have pulled it out five minutes earlier. Normally my oven is pretty accurate also. You could put whatever appeals to you in this loaf and I will be making it again with some variations. Wonderful just the way it is though, thank you Lizzie.

 

[peachy_pie]

I loved this. I used wholemeal flour and raisins only. It was sticky and moist and everyone loved it. Who would think it was so cheap to make?

 

[Syrinx]

What a marvellous recipe! I added 1 tsp of vanilla extract (although now that I have tasted the end-product I would say that it probably didn't need it). An excellent fruit loaf - tasty and juicy. I am always looking for recipes suitable for my egg-allergic sister, but this particular egg-free recipe is so good that I will make it even when she isn't around to eat the cake! Thank you very much.