Decadent Date & Pecan Loaf

INGREDIENTS

8 FreshLife Silver Platter Medjool Dates, pits removed

½ cup boiling water

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

150g butter

2 eggs

½ cups caster sugar or coconut sugar

1 ¾ cups FreshLife Rice Flour

1 tsp baking powder

125g FreshLife Pecans, roughly chopped, reserve 1 2 tablespoons extra for decorating

½ cup milk or almond milk

CARAMEL SAUCE

6 FreshLife Silver Platter Medjool Dates, pits removed

¼ cup maple syrup

¾ - 1 cup cream or water

METHOD

• In a small saucepan combine the dates, water, cinnamon, baking soda and butter and bring to a gentle simmer, cook for 5-8 minutes until the dates soften. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool until room temperature.

• Pre-heat the oven to 170°C and line a loaf pan with baking paper.

• Whisk the eggs and sugar into the date mixture until well combined, then sift over the combined rice flour and baking powder, stir in the pecans and milk.

• Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and dot the top with the extra pecans.

• Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer is removed cleanly and the top of the loaf springs back with lightly tapped. Allow to cool before slicing.

• For the caramel sauce, simmer the dates with the maple syrup and cream or water, whisk until smooth.

• Serve toasted with a dollop of cream or scoop of ice-cream for dessert and drizzle with caramel date sauce. Or why not toast a few slices and serve with yoghurt and honey for breakfast.