• 350g pitted dates (about 15)
• 85g dark muscovado sugar
• 125g butter
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 150g wholemeal flour
• 70g rolled oats
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Pre-heat the oven to 160C/140Fan/Gas 3
2. Chop the dates and put into a saucepan along with the sugar and butter over a medium heat and stir until the butter is melted. Cook stirring for another 5 minutes until the dates are soft. Add the soda and stir then leave to cool.
3. Place the flour, oats and cinnamon in a bowl and mix. Whisk the egg and vanilla together and add to the flour. Pour over the date mixture and mix well.
4. Divide and shape the mixture into 12 balls and place on a lined baking tray and flatten a little before baking for 12-15 minutes until golden. Leave to cool on the tray before storing in an airtight tin.

Recipe by Nerys Howell, originally featured on Prynhawn Da.