Eggfree date cake !!!

Dates coffee cake 

Dates are a much loved and ancient fruit . They are  great source of potassium, fiber calcium and iron. So what better way to enjoy dates than in a cake. This is a very nice, moist cake bursting with the flavor of dates. A big slice of  this cake and a cup of tea or coffee is one of those  little pleasures of life. 

 Dates provide moisture to the cake ,...and is a perfect choice for make ahead dessert .They also happen to be naturally sweet, which is another reason to add them in cake . 

My kids don't like plain date cake,that is the reason I always add some interesting flavor to it. This time  it's  "coffee ". There is something so good about this cake that you'll end up eating half of it in one go...... I actually did .

I always prefer baking two small cakes rather than a big one . By doing this I can try two different versions.  Adding orange marmalade to one and chocolate chips to other.  I love it plain without any glaze but you can cover it with chocolate glaze or caramel sauce. Cake sandwich is another great choice .  Spread cream cheese or nutella between two slices and enjoy !!!! 

                                 



Ingredients

All purpose flour                2 cups (250 gm)
Brown sugar                       3/4 cup
oil                                           1/2 cup
milk                                        250 ml
dates                                      10-12 (chopped)
baking powder                    1 tsp
baking soda                         1/2 tsp
vanilla extract                     1 tsp
coffee powder                      1 tbsp 
ginger powder                    1 tsp
orange marmalade            1 tbsp  (optional)


Temperature required    180°C
Baking time                        40-45 minutes 


Procedure

• Preheat the oven at 180°C.
• Grease and line the baking tin.
• Dissolve one tbsp coffee in 1oo ml hot water and leave aside for 15 minutes.
• Sieve flour, baking powder,baking soda and ginger powder .
• Mix oil and sugar and beat for 2-3 minutes.
• Add milk , coffee dissolved in water, vanilla extract and mix until sugar is dissolved completely .
• If adding orange marmalade , add at this stage and mix.
• Gently fold the dry ingredients into this.
• Add dates and mix well.
• Pour batter in prepared tin and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.
• I always cover cake with foil after 25 minutes .This way, the top is protected from excessive heat and cake top is prevented from burning.