Old-fashioned nut loaf

I went op-shopping yesterday. I found a few good things - a top to wear to my friends deb ball on Friday, a brand new shirt for Stu, a funny book for the kids and more dinner knives for the kitchen. I was pleased will all the finds, then I found these....

A pair of vintage nut loaf tins! Are you excited? I was. They're in great condition - used, but clean, complete and with no rust of dents and only $6 for the pair (I looked them up on ebay to confirm, and that is a bargain)! They bring back memories of my Nanna's nut loaves, served as thick slices, slathered with butter. Yum.

Today, I found a recipe and baked. They're delicious! Afternoon tea anyone?

Date and nut loaves

(Recipe adapted from this one)

1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp mixed spice
100g walnuts roughly chopped
150g dates roughly chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
100g butter
1 egg

• Preheat oven to 180c and grease 2 nut loaf tins (you could also use a single loaf pan or several unlined tin cans)
• Mix dry ingredients and nuts in a mixing bowl
• Mix sugar, dates, water and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and butter melted, cool slightly
• Add wet mix to dry ingredients and add egg. Mix well
• Spoon into prepared tins (put on the lids if using the nut loaf tins)
• Bake for 40-45min
• Remove from pans by running a knife around the edge and inverting. Cool on a cake rack
• Serve sliced with a little butter and a cup of tea :)

Cooked in the tins

Just after turning out.