Steam Combi Recipe: Date and Ginger Loaf

This is a hybrid loaf with the best aspects of both a Date loaf and a Gingerbread. With 2 types of ginger it definitely has a strong ginger flavour. If you like a lighter flavour you can reduce the powdered ginger or leave out the crystallised ginger.

This makes a small loaf. If you have a large loaf tin you can double the recipe but it will require a longer cooking time. To check doneness, insert a skewer to see that it comes out clean

METHOD

1. Preheat oven , hotair/circulaire/fan forced with low humidity 170C
2. Line a small loaf tin with baking paper.
3. In a medium sized bowl, add chopped dates and ginger and add the boiling water and baking soda and chopped butter.
4. Mash with a fork and stir to allow butter to melt in the hot mixture.
5. Add molasses or golden syrup, sugar  and then lightly beaten egg.
6. Add remaining dry ingredients alternately with the milk and mix well.
7. Pour into lined tin and top with remaining ginger slices.
8. Place in oven and cook for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer poked in the middle comes out clean.
9. Remove from tin and leave to cool before slicing.