OATY DATE CAKE

I have had this recipe for over 40 years and do not make it that often. Not sure why, because it is delicious! I love cakes that are a bit different from the ordinary and this fits that bill.

6 oz dates, chopped

¼ pint of wine, sherry or similar, I used a medium sweet wine [or ditto water/mix]

Soak the dates for 1 - 2 hours in the wine, so that they go lovely and gooey and the alcohol has been absorbed. After about 45 mins, give it a nice mash with a potato masher.

Before long all the liquid will be absorbed, then add 2 oz chopped walnuts.

Mix together, in a bowl:

8 oz plain flour

4 oz medium oats

3 oz soft dark brown sugar [or light]

5 oz melted butter

Line the bottom of a 8” springform or loose bottom tin and lightly oil. Press in half of the oaty mix. Press really hard and level with the back of a large spoon.

Pile in the gooey date filling, then the other half of the oat mix. Press down once more. After pressing, lightly run a fork across the top to loosen the top 1/8 in and dredge with demerera sugar.

Bake in a medium oven 170 Deg C for about 50 - 55  mins. I turn the oven down to 160 for the last ten minutes.

Originally the recipe called for ¼ pint water to soak the dates. Boring! I changed that years ago! Great for desserts with clotted cream or ice cream too.

You can make this in a square tin and cut into bars if you prefer.