Chop apples and dates, then add boiling water, butter and sugar. Mix till the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved. Add the spice and allow to cool a little.
Prepare muffin, loaf or ring tins by greasing with butter or spraying with oil.
When fruit mixture is warm, not hot, add spice and egg and mix well. Then add baking soda, baking powder and flour.
Mix in, but do not overbeat once flour goes in. If the final mixture is too dry, add a little milk. Spoon into the prepared tins, allowing for the mix to rise about 50%. Cook immediately.
Medium sized muffins take around 15 minutes, loaves take about 45 minutes.