Freezer fillers

Stock up the freezer now and those afternoon treats are sorted!

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BANANA, DATE & WALNUT LOAF

SERVES 10 PREP 20 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS

• 1½ cups chopped pitted dates (250g)

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 75g butter, softened

• ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup self-raising flour

• ½ cup plain flour

• 1 cup chopped walnuts, plus extra 2 tbsp

• ½ cup mashed ripe banana

• 1 banana, sliced lengthways

• butter, to serve

1 Grease and line a 13cm x 22cm loaf pan with baking paper, extending paper 2cm above pan edges.

2 Combine dates and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Boil for 1 min. Remove from heat. Stir in soda. Stand for 10 mins.

3 Beat butter and sugar in small bowl of an electric mixer until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in date mixture, flours, walnuts and mashed banana. Pour into prepared pan. Smooth over top. Arrange sliced banana on top. Scatter over extra walnuts.

4 Cook in a 160°C preheated oven for 1 hour, 10 mins or until cooked when tested. Stand in pan for 15 mins. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.