Gluten Free Date Bread

Unless I am super organised (not as often as I'd like!) I'm often in a panic around 8 am wondering what on earth I can put in my daughter's lunch box to keep her energy up during the day at school.  There are few ready made shortcuts for a Coeliac friendly lunchbox and packaged stuff, is well, packaged stuff just without gluten.  I found this recipe in the Gluten Free Cookbook for Kids by Adriana Rabinovich and converted it into mini loaves so I can make a batch, easily freeze them and pull one out first thing which is defrosted and perfect by morning tea.  I find small loaves bake really well for me in my oven and I just love how they look!  This baking tray is from David Jones and around $18 but I've also seen them online and in stores elsewhere.

I've included the Thermomix instructions for making sugar and almond meal but you can buy these ready made and you really don't need any fancy gadgets to make this recipe.

You will need:
150 g dates (I use medjool dates)
100 g caster sugar (you can use Rapadura or I use raw sugar 2 seconds sp 9)
200 g gluten free plain flour (I like to use Orgran)
185 g ground almonds (nut to nutmeal 8 to 10 seconds sp7)
1/2 tsp salt (I use Himalayan pink fine salt additive and preservative free)
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tbsp gluten free baking powder (I use Wards or Bob's Red Mill)
1 egg
275 ml milk
85 g butter melted
2 tbsp grated lemon zest


To prepare:
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees
Line a 23x13 cm loaf tin or use 8x mini loaf tin
Soften the dates in boiling water for approximately 10 minutes - drain and chop into evenly sized pieces
Combine sugar, flour, almonds, salt, xanthan gum and baking powder.  Make a well and add milk and egg, stirring gently and add in melted butter, dates and lemon zest. 
Pour the mixture in your loaf tin and bake for 40 to 45 minutes (mini loaves a little less depending on your oven so keep an eye on them) or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely before serving.

To serve, a little cream cheese and maybe some ham work beautifully together! 

* contains almonds - check your school's policy regarding tree nuts or keep it for afternoon tea at home