Fat Free Loaf (With Dates And Carrot-Yummy!) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

180 g pitted dates (chopped with scissors- each date 3-4 x)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1 carrot, grated (medium- large)
1 1/2 cups self raising flour (or 1 tsp baking powder per cup of normal flour)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamom (optional)
1 grated apple, also goes well (as well as the carrot)

Preparation

Combine dates, brown sugar, bicarb soda and water in a pot. Bring to boil, simmer for 1-2 mins (stir a few times) then turn off heat and leave to cool.
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius Grease a 22x 11cm tin (or use baking paper).
Add carrot to date mix (I just grate straight into pot) a 1/2 or whole apple is also nice grated in too (I don't wait until date mix is totally cool).
Sift flour and spices together and add to mix. (I don't- I just chuck it all into the pot! Saves on dishes).
Mix well and spoon into loaf tin. You can add extra water if too dry to mix well.
Bake for 40-50 minutes Use a skewer to check if middle cooked.
Note- if using gluten free flour (not self raising) add 2- 2.5 teaspoons of baking powder + 1 tsp (optional) of guar gum.