Category: Main Dishes

Origin: UAE

 

For how many people: 20

Preparation time: 20 min

Cooking time: 1 hr 15

 

Story of the recipe or story of the chef:

If you think you don’t like dates, this cake will change your opinion. You’ll say: “Mmmmm… Yummy!  What is this?” I love it!

Maya

 

List of ingredients:

• 1  2/3 cups of chopped dates
• 1 ¼ cups of boiling water
• ½ cup (175g) of softened butter
• ¾ cup of sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups of sifted flour
• ½ tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

 

For the topping:

• 1 cup of packed brown sugar
• ½ cup of butter (175g)
• 6 tbsp whipping cream

 

Preparation Mode:

1. Beat the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat the eggs and vanilla. Fold in the flour and the cinnamon.
3. Cover the dates with the boiling water. Add the baking soda and vanilla to the dates and the water.
4. Pour onto the creamed mixture, add the baking powder.  Stir until thoroughly mixed.
5. Bake for 1 hour or 1 hour 15 minutes, until well risen and firm to the touch.

 

For the topping:

1. Put the brown sugar, butter and cream into a saucepan.
2. Heat gently until the sugar is melted.
3. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Cool in the pan until the toffee is set.

 

My top tip:

Start first by preparing the dates with the boiling water; it will allow the water to cool.