Thelma's Amazing Fruit Cake

Method

• step 1

  Put the dates and the water in a pan and simmer until the dates start to break up. Remove from the heat and add the orange juice.

• step 2

  In a bowl, mix all the other ingredients together.

• step 3

  Combine the date mixture with the other ingredients and transfer to a greased and lined loaf tin. You can use one 2 lb tin or two 1 lb tins.

• step 4

  Bake in an oven preheated to 160C / gas mark 3 for an hour and a half to an hour and three quarters.

• step 5

  Allow to cool in tin for 15 minutes, before turning out on to a wire rack to cool completely.