An extra ordinary cake....;)

Molly Cake

This wonderfully moist and fruity cake contains no refined sugar or fat. It's also free of eggs and dairy products, which means it's suitable for vegans, or anyone who's trying to cut down a little in the New Year.

Serves 8-10

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes, plus cooling

Ingredients
250g stoned dates, roughly chopped
300ml water
85g plain flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground mixed spice
85g wholemeal flour
500g bag dried, mixed fruit
50g ground almonds
80ml orange juice

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 170°C, gas mark 3 and line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment.

Put the dates and water in a pan and bring to the boil. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

Sieve the plain flour, baking powder and mixed spice into a bowl. Add the wholemeal flour, mixed fruit and ground almonds and stir to combine. Stir in the wet date mixture and the orange juice. Mix well.

Spoon into the loaf tin.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

Turn out onto a wire rack and cool. Serve in slices with a nice cup of tea.