Preheat the  oven to 180°, grease and line a loaf tin.

Sift the flour and baking powder in to bowl.

Combine dates and boiling water in a small bowl. Stir bicarbonate of soda; stand 5 minutes. Stir in maple syrup.

Meanwhile, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined between each addition.

Add butter mixture into the date mixture and stir in sifted flour.

Spread the mixture into tin and bake about 50 minutes. Stand loaf in tin for 10 minutes and turn on to a wire rack to cool.

Maple syrup:- Distilled from the sap of maple trees found only in Canada and North America.