This loaf takes the best from date loaf, carrot cake and banana bread and combines it into a delicious loaf, that is free from refined sugar and healthy enough for a scrummy breakfast or a guilt free late night snack.
Makes 1 loaf
1 cup dates
1 cup raisins
1 cup boiling water
1 ripe banana
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup oil or coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon mixed spice
2 cups flour (I like to use half wholemeal half white)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large carrot grated
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Combine dates and raisins in a bowl and pour over boiling water. Let soak for at least 15 minutes. In the meantime, in a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, grated carrot and mixed spice. Once your dried fruit has soaked drain water into a cup and keep for later. Add the banana to your dates and raisins and mash for a few minutes ( I use a potato masher). Add drained water back into your mash along with apple cider vinegar, vanilla, maple syrup and oil. Mix well to combine. Add wet ingredients into dry and mix gently until just combined. Spoon evenly into a loaf tin lined with baking paper. Refrain from patting down to keep your loaf fluffy. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Let cool on a rack and cut once fully cooled.