Date loaf (cake aux dattes)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 170 °C and butter a 25 cm loaf tin.
2. Chop the dates, put them in a bowl with the bicarbonate of soda and pour the boiling water over them.
3. Leave to soak and cool for about 15 minutes, until the dates are soft and the mixture is lukewarm.
4. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla.
5. Fold in the flour, baking powder and salt, then the date mixture and its juices, and the walnuts if using.
6. Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.
7. Let it cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack.