- 1 cup (150g) stoned dates, chopped
- 2 TBS boiling water
- the finely grated zest and juice of one lemon
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 2 medium very ripe bananas
- 1 TBS dark rum
- 6 1/2 TBS (85g) baking spread (something like Country Crock or Becel will do)
- 1/4 cup, packed (55g) dark soft brown sugar
- 1 cup + 1 1/2 TBS (170g) Sweetened Condensed milk
- 2 large free range eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups, less 2 TBS (225g) self raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (115g) toasted walnut pieces (1 cup)
- Preheat the oven to 170*C/325*F/gas mark 3. Butter a 9 by 5 inch baking tin and line with baking paper. (Baking paper will help you to be able to lift it out easier when you are ready.)
- Place the dates into a bowl along with the boiling water, lemon zest, lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda. Stir and then set aside to cool completely. (Its important to let it cool to room temperature before using it.)
- Peel the bananas and put into a mini food processor with the rum. Blitz until smooth. Stir this mixture into the date mixture. (Mix to combine well and evenly.)
- Cream together the baking spread, brown sugar and condensed milk until smoothly combined.
- Gradually mix in the eggs and then the date mixture. (This will make sure everything is properly mixed together.)
- Sift together the flour and baking powder. Stir into the creamed mixture until well combined and there are no dry streaks of flour. (Most tea loaves don't need to be overly mixed but this one does require an even mixing.)
- Stir in the walnuts. Pour into the prepared baking tin. Smoothing over the top. (Ensures a perfect rise. Sometimes I will run a knife down the middle to help form an attractive crack in the center.)
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 15 minutes, until risen, set and golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. (This is a dense loaf.)
- Let sit in the tin for 15 minutes before lifting out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into slices to serve with some softened butter. Store any leftovers tightly wrapped. (I love to let it rest overnight before slicing. You get much neater slices that way.)
Banana, Rum, Date & Walnut Tea Loaf
Moist and delicious and filled to the brim with sticky dates, crunchy walnuts and rummy bananas! Beautiful cut into thin slices and spread with softened butter. I like to let the loaf sit overnight for slicing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150g) stoned dates, chopped
- 2 TBS boiling water
- the finely grated zest and juice of one lemon
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 2 medium very ripe bananas
- 1 TBS dark rum
- 6 1/2 TBS (85g) baking spread (something like Country Crock or Becel will do)
- 1/4 cup, packed (55g) dark soft brown sugar
- 1 cup + 1 1/2 TBS (170g) Sweetened Condensed milk
- 2 large free range eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups, less 2 TBS (225g) self raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (115g) toasted walnut pieces (1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170*C/325*F/gas mark 3. Butter a 9 by 5 inch baking tin and line with baking paper.
- Place the dates into a bowl along with the boiling water, lemon zest, lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda. Stir and then set aside to cool completely.
- Peel the bananas and put into a mini food processor with the rum. Blitz until smooth. Stir this mixture into the date mixture.
- Cream together the baking spread, brown sugar and condensed milk until smoothly combined.
- Gradually mix in the eggs and then the date mixture.
- Sift together the flour and baking powder. Stir into the creamed mixture until well combined and there are no dry streaks of flour.
- Stir in the walnuts. Pour into the prepared baking tin. Smoothing over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 15 minutes, until risen, set and golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Let sit in the tin for 15 minutes before lifting out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into slices to serve with some softened butter. Store any leftovers tightly wrapped.
Notes
You can easily make your own self raising flour. For every cup of flour you need (120g) simply add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt.
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There's something wonderfully nostalgic about a classic Boston Cream Pie - that beautifully moist vanilla layer cake filled with thick silky homemade custard and finished with a glossy semi-sweet chocolate glaze.
Despite it's name, it's not a pie at all, but a timeless dessert that's been loved for generations and still feels special every time you make it. This version inspired by the trusted Fannie Farmer Cooking School Cookbook is one I have relied on for decades. Its simple, reliable and bakes up like a dream - a true French Butter Cake that's tender, flavourful and perfectly sized.
Tried and true, this favourite is one I turn to again and again because it never disappoints - simple ingredient, no fuss, and absolutely delicious every time.
- 6 TBS (85g) butter
- 1 cup (190g) sugar
- 2 large free range eggs, separated carefully
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 3/4 cup (218g) cake flour (to make your own cake flour, for every 120g/1 cup of flour,remove 2 TBS and add 2 TBS cornflour/cornstarch back)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup (180ml) milk
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (95g) sugar
- 3 TBS flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 large free range egg yolks, beaten
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 4.5 ounces (3/4 cup/128g) semi-sweet chocolate
- 3 TBS butter
This is really not as complicated as it looks. Easy, easy, easy.
- Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter two 8-inch round cake tins and line the bottoms with baking paper. Set aside. (Lining the bottoms of the pans ensures the cake won't stick.)
- Beat the butter until soft and creamy. Continue to beat, adding the sugar a bit at a time, until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. (Adding the sugar slowly ensures it mixes in and melts completely.)
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, making 3 dry and 2 wet additions. (Sifting ensures the baking powder is completely mixed throughout the flour evenly. Making the dry and wet additions helps to prevent the batter from curdling.)
- Beat the the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Stir in 1/3 of the beaten egg whites, then carefully fold in the remainder of the whites. (Use a rubber spatula to fold in the whites. Do not overmix. a few white streaks are good.)
- Divide the batter between the two prepared cake tins, smoothing the top. (Makes for a better finish)
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until well risen, golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (The tops should also spring back when lightly touched.)
- Let cool in the tins for 5 minutes before removing from the tins to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
- To make the filling, whisk the flour and sugar together in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the milk. (Its important to make sure the flour and sugar are evenly mixed.)
- Cook, whisking constantly over medium heat, until the mixture bubbles and begins to thicken.
- Cook for a further 2 minutes to cook out any flour taste. Slowly add some of the hot mixture into the egg yolks to temper them, then whisk the whole lot back into the custard. (This will prevent the eggs from scrambling.)
- Continue to cook, whisking constantly for a further 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
- Set aside to cool, whisking several times. Cover and store in the refrigerator until completely cold. (It is important that the mixture is completely cold before you fill the cake.)
- Place one cake layer on a cake plate, flat side up. Spread the cold custard over top and then top with the other cake layer, rounded side up.
- Melt the semi sweet chocolate and butter together over medium low heat, whisking until fully amalgamated and smooth. (Don't over heat or your chocolate may seize up.)
- Spoon this mixture evenly over the top of the cake allowing some to drip down the sides. Allow to set completely before serving. (See hints and tips for how to do this.)
- Cut the cake into wedges to serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Boston Cream Pie
Not a pie, but a most delicious cake, with a thick vanilla custard filling and a chocolate glaze. A firm family favourite from way back.
Ingredients
- 6 TBS (85g) butter
- 1 cup (190g) sugar
- 2 large free range eggs, separated carefully
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 3/4 cup (218g) cake flour (to make your own cake flour, for every 120g/1 cup of flour,remove 2 TBS and add 2 TBS cornflour/cornstarch back)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup (180ml) milk
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (95g) sugar
- 3 TBS flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 large free range egg yolks, beaten
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 4.5 ounces (3/4 cup/128g) semi-sweet chocolate
- 3 TBS butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter two 8-inch round cake tins and line the bottoms with baking paper. Set aside.
- Beat the butter until soft and creamy. Continue to beat, adding the sugar a bit at a time, until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla.
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, making 3 dry and 2 wet additions.
- Beat the the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Stir in 1/3 of the beaten egg whites, then carefully fold in the remainder of the whites.
- Divide the batter between the two prepared cake tins, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until well risen, golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the tins for 5 minutes before removing from the tins to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
- To make the filling, whisk the flour and sugar together in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the milk.
- Cook, whisking constantly over medium heat, until the mixture bubbles and begins to thicken.
- Cook for a further 2 minutes to cook out any flour taste. Slowly add some of the hot mixture into the egg yolks to temper them, then whisk the whole lot back into the custard.
- Continue to cook, whisking constantly for a further 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
- Set aside to cool, whisking several times. Cover and store in the refrigerator until completely cold.
- Place one cake layer on a cake plate, flat side up. Spread the cold custard over top and then top with the other cake layer, rounded side up.
- Melt the semi sweet chocolate and butter together over medium low heat, whisking until fully amalgamated and smooth.
- Spoon this mixture evenly over the top of the cake allowing some to drip down the sides. Allow to set completely before serving.
- Cut the cake into wedges to serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com
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