1 cup dates, chopped

½ cup water

1tsp baking soda

50g butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 egg, beaten

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup grated carrot

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 ½ cups wholemeal flour

½ cup bran

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp mixed spice

‍

Pre-heat the oven to 180 C.

‍

Grease and line a loaf tin.

Place dates and water in a small pot and boil for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to mash up. Add the baking soda and stir well.

Beat butter, sugar and vanilla until thick, light and creamy.

Add egg.

Mix in banana, carrot, nuts and dates.

In a separate bowl mix flour, bran, baking powder and mixed spice together.

Stir the two mixtures together with a metal spoon until well combined but not over-mixed.

Spoon into the loaf tin and roughly smooth out the top.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the loaf springs back when lightly touched.

Leave in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out.

‍