Date and Nut Loaf

Don't let the name fool you, this is amazing. I can not take credit for it because my lovely mother made this. She has made it a few times before and every time is as great, if not better, than the last. The dates keep it so moist! Also.. it is low fat. No joke. With a minimum amount of oil and loads of dates, you would not even know.

Mum's Date Loaf

1 1/2 cup chopped dates
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1 egg
1 cup milk, can be skim/low fat
1/4 cup canola oil or melted butter

Preheat the oven to 350º. Grease a 9"x5" loaf pan. Place the dates in a bowl and pour in 3/4 cup of boiling water and stir constantly until it is thickened. Set this aside to cool. Meanwhile, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in the pecans and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, milk and oil. Add the date mixture and the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and beat for about half a minute. Don't worry, the batter will be lumpy. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake this puppy for 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool or just eat away!