Walnut, Coffee and Fruit Cake
 
Ingredients
 
350g Chopped dried dates  
3 Shots (100ml) of espresso or strong coffee 
125g Softened butter 
2 Large eggs
125g Golden caster sugar
200g Self-raising flour 
75g Whole walnuts 
2 tbsp Milk
 
Here's how:
 
Soak the chopped dates in the espresso for 10 minutes or so, until the liquid is absorbed and the dates have softened.
Rub together flour and butter, then add the sugar.
In a separate bowl whisk the eggs before pouring into the flour mixture.
Add in the soaked fruit, as well as any residual coffee thats leftover, add in the walnuts. 
Finally, add the milk and mix together. 
Divide the mixture between two greased 2lb loaf tins lined with greaseproof paper. 
Bake for 1 hour at 150C/300F or gas mark 2 until cooked right through. To test if it is cooked press the centre of the cake gently and if it springs back it’s cooked, if not turn the oven down to 140C/275F or gas mark 1 and cook for a further 10 minutes. 
 
Recipe by Peter Sidwell