I was not into baking before. I had tried out a cake here and there but for whatever reason, I was not completely satisfied with the outcome each time. I also realized that I would try to modify the recipe every time I baked something and then I read in one of the baking books that for any baked dish to be successful, it is of utmost importance that the recipe be followed to a “T” without any modifications. With that in mind, I’ve tried out a few cakes, breads, bars, cookies, etc and to a large extent, I have had quite a bit of success, I must add. I also found out that my niece who loves sweets, likes to bake and with her partner in crime – my daughter, who also has a sweet tooth, we have now formed a team and we try out different stuff whenever we meet. I made this cake for my son’s birthday and it was appreciated by everybody at home.
Ingredients
- Dates - 1 cup, chopped
- Water - 1 1/4 cups
- Baking soda - 1 tsp
- For the cake:-
- All purpose flour - 1 3/4 cup
- Granulated sugar - 1/2 cup
- Brown sugar - 1/2 cup, packed
- Baking soda - 1 tsp
- Salt - 1/2 tsp
- Oil - 2/3 cup
- Eggs - 2
- Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
- Toppings : semi sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips - 1/2 cup
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil (I used the microwave on high for 5 minutes).
Put the chopped dates in a large bowl and pour boiling water on it. Stir in 1 tsp of baking soda and mix. Let it sit till it comes to room temperature (about 25-30 minutes).
Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
In another bowl, put in all the dry ingredients (from flour to salt) and mix well.
Take a smaller bowl, break the eggs in them and beat lightly. Add the oil and vanilla extract and mix well. Add this mixture to the cooled dates and water mixture and stir.
Make a well in the middle of the flour and sugar bowl and add the mixed up liquid ingredients. With a gentle hand, lightly fold in wet ingredients with the dry ones just until combined. Do not over mix the batter. You will end up having a dense cake.
Spray a 9 inch pan with some non stick spray and pour the batter into the pan. Sprinkle with toppings and bake in the oven for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Cool completely and then slice the cake.
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