1. Peel, core and slice the apples thinly. Peel and slice the bananas. Cut the grapes into halves. Chop the dates.
2. Grease an oven proof glass dish.
3. Mix all the fruits together and place in the dish. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of water.
4. Preheat the oven to 170 C
5. Beat butter and sugar till light. Beat the eggs lightly with essence and add little at a time to butter-sugar mixture, beating well all the time.
6. Mix flour with baking powder and add to the beaten mixture with milk. Mix gently till smooth.
7. Spread carefully over the fruit mixture.
8. Bake till the topping is well risen, golden brown and firm in the centre. (about35- 40 minutes)
9. Serve warm with cream or ice cream.

Serves: 6-8