Date and Walnut Loaf

I love recipes where I don't have to pull out my Kitchenaid mixer. Quick and easy mixes are the best when one is short of time. We finished off half the loaf for afternoon tea today, melt in the mouth when warm and spread with some butter.

60gm butter, room temperature
1 cup (250ml) boiling water
1 cup (180gm) pitted dates, chopped
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 cup (220gm) firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups (500gm) self raising flour
1/2 cup (60gm) walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 egg, beaten lightly

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C (160C for fan-forced oven).
2. Line a loaf pan with baking paper.
3. Stir the butter and water into a medium sized saucepan over low heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and stir in dates and bicarbonate soda. Then add remaining ingredients. Spoon the mixture into the lined loaf pan.
4. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. When ready, remove from oven and stand in pan for 5-10 minutes before gently turning on to a wire rack to cool.