date and walnut buns

I realise that I am addicted to sugar, come 4pm I started looking around for a sugary fix. It's a dangerous time. A time to eat very slowly.

I stood at the cupboard door and decided today would be date and walnut day. It can make a heavy cake combo, but not this recipe. I think this cake is half and half vice and virtue, and all pleasure. I like it in buns, because cutting a cake with lumps in it can be messy.

So if you want a quick, slightly sticky cake, this could be for you.

Recipe
Enough for 12 large buns - put cases in bun tray.

Heat oven to 200/400/gas mark 6


Ingredients

100g (3 1/4 oz) chopped and pitted dates

100 g (3 1/4 oz) marg or butter

100g (3 1/4 oz) soft brown sugar

2 eggs (lightly beaten)

2 teaspoons golden syrun (or honey)

100g self raising flour

a shake of mixed spice 

100g (3 1/4 oz) chopped walnuts

100g (3 1/4 oz) chopped prunes or raisins

Method

Cover the chopped dates in boiling water and set aside.
Beat sugar and butter together well.
Add one egg at a time, beating all the while.
Add the honey or syrup.
Stir the mixed spice into the flour with a whisk (saves sifting)
Stir in walnuts, prunes or raisins and the drained chopped dates (discard the liquid)
Spoon mixture into cases, filling to just below the top edge.

Cook for 12 minutes.

Turn out and cool on a rack.