Date Walnut and Fig Loaf

This was a great little experiment where I was trying to create a date loaf with a muffin type consistency.  It turned out just so well I thought I should share it with you all :-). The date loaf did turn out a little crumbly, but the flavour was extra special.  If you don't want it as crumbly, maybe halve the walnuts.

Special note... if you're going to store it, wrap it in cling wrap and store it in the fridge. It won't last more than a couple of days.

Ingredients:

• 50 x grams Butter (melted)
• 1 x cup Self Raising flour (GF)
• 1/2 x cup Almond Meal
• 1/2 x cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed Walnuts
• 1 x cup Dates (rough chopped)
• 1/2 cup Figs
• 1 x teaspoon of cream of tartar
• 1 x teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/3 cup of Golden syrup  (about 4 spoons)
• 2 x  small ripe bananas.

Method:

• It's pretty easy actually. 
• Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• Mash your bananas and add them last 
• Beat for 3-4 minutes.
• Pour into a loaf tin lined with baking paper and butter
• Smooth off the top of the mix with a wet spoon.
• Sprinkle on some extra crushed nuts for decoration

Baking:

• Pre heat oven to 180 (fan forced)
• The inside of this cake is always going to be pretty moist so it's hard to judge when it's done. I baked for 40 minutes... tested with a skewer, then baked for another 20.  Really you'll be your own best judge of when it's ready.
• When I took it out of the oven I knew it would be crumbly, so I let it half cool in the loaf tin (so it keeps cooking).
• Then I lifted out of the loaf by grabbing hold of the paper liner and let it fully cool on a rack before slicing.

Enjoy