Ingredients:

 1 cup pitted dates, chopped coarsely

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup boiling-hot water

1 cup granulated sugar, firmly packed

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

½ cup walnut, chopped

Method:

 Put the dates in a slightly big bowl (you'll be mixing the batter in this) and sprinkle the baking soda over the dates. Pour the hot water over this so it covers the dates. Keep aside for about half an hour till the dates soften up and the water cools down.

Stir in the sugar, egg, butter and vanilla into the date mixture. Sift the all purpose flour and the baking powder together and add to the bowl along with the walnuts. Gently mix in this in till everything just combines.

Spoon the batter into a greased and floured (or parchment lined) 7" round cake tin. You may use a loaf tin if you choose.
Bake at 170C for about 50 minutes till cooked or till a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Serve with coffee or tea.