Moist Delicious Dates Cake

This recipe is very moist and has an amazing texture. When friends and family come home, this is definitely one of the dishes I make. It's simple and yet delicious. The caramelized dates make them super rich and yummy.

Ingredients

Dates - 200 gm

Sugar - 1/2 Cup

Water - 1 Tbsp. & 3/4 Cup

All-purpose flour - 1 Cup (1 Cup = 250 ml)

Baking powder - 1 Tsp.

Baking Soda - 1/4 Tsp.

Salt - 1/8 Tsp.

Sugar - 6 to 8 Tbsp.

Cloves - 3 Nos.

Cashew nuts

Egg - 2 Nos.

Vanilla essence - 1/2 Tsp.

Sunflower oil - 1/2 Cup

Peel the dates and deseed them. Crush them lightly in a food processor/mixer.

It's good to use the dates which are more on the sweeter side.

This is a simple but critical step. It's really hot so be careful when making caramel.

Take a vessel and add the sugar for caramelization (1/2 cup) and add 1 tbsp of water.

Keep the flame on medium and wait for the sugar to caramelize. Just swirl the pan to distribute the heat in between. Do not mix with a spoon.

Once the caramel turns golden reduce the heat. Do not let it become real dark in color.

Then add the warm water. At this stage be really careful as it can splutter. Bring the caramel back to the stove and heat again at low flame.

Now add the crushed dates and mix it well. Heat till it becomes a mushy texture.

Beat the egg and vanilla essence with a hand beater or a mixer till fluffy.

Powder the sugar along with cloves. Cloves add to the spice flavor of the dates cake.

Now add the powdered sugar to the egg mix. Beat it again till well mixed.

Now add the vegetable oil and give a mix again. Any flavorless oil would do.

Sieve and keep aside the dry ingredients (All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt).

Now to the mushy dates caramel add the wet ingredients (egg + powdered sugar + Oil).

With a whisk bring them together. Add the dry ingredients in parts and bring the batter together.

You can also add dusted crushed cashews too in the batter.

Bring the batter together with a spatula.

Preheat the Oven at 180 degrees Celcius for 10 minutes and keep while preparing the batter.

Have used a 7-inch square mold.

Bake the cake for about 40-45 minutes and check when it's done. Time depends on the Oven that you use too. Bake till toothpick comes out clean.

Let it cool in a wire rack and cut into squares for serving.

It tastes really good the next day as the flavor settles in. It's a lovely recipe. Hope you like it too.