I’ve been sick in bed for almost a week. Kids go to school, kids bring in common cold viruses from school, everybody at home is sick and eventually I get it … sounds familiar?. Bottom line: kids should never go to SCHOOL :).. just kidding if they stayed at home I will go nuts in only 2 days.
So what is more nourishing than dates to boost your health and ability to heal – at least from my opinion? I am a true believer in dates may be because I was born in Saudi Arabia the land of palm trees :).
This is by far the best date cake I’ve ever tried. Every one liked it, even my 3 years old. It was moist, fluffy and not too sweet. I highly encourage you to try it.
We’ll need:
- 1 cup of pitted dates – almost 16 ones- soaked in 1 cup of hot water for 30 minutes.
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
- 1 cup of all purpose flour.
- 1/2 cup of oil.
- 2 eggs .
- A dash of vanilla powder.
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.
- 1 Tbs of baking powder.
For garnishing I’ve made soft toffee and used walnuts, so to make the toffee: 2 cup of white sugar + a can of cream.
Using your blender, beat the eggs,vanilla and cinnamon. Then add the sugar and the oil until all are mixed well.
Add the dates with the water to the blender and blend again.
Sift the dry ingredients together then pour the wet mixture over and mix well. You’ll notice that the wet mixture still got some date clumps in it but it is ok, actually it adds texture to the cake.
Pour the cake mixture in a prepared oven pan and bake in a 350F oven until done, almost 25-30 minutes. take it out and let it cool. Meanwhile make the toffee.
Be very careful when making the toffee as it is so hot. Please declare the kitchen a NO ZONE for kids and pets. First put your cream can in a very hot water for at least 30 minutes. Put 2 cups of sugar on medium heat and stir every now and then be careful not to let it burn. Let the sugar melt on medium-low until it is completely done and is turned into liquid form. Carefully add the cream and stir quickly until all the lumps disappear and the mixture is thicker.
Pour the toffee over the cake and garnish with extra nuts if you want.
You can eat it without the toffee or make any other garnish of your choice. Powdered sugar, caramel, frosting or plain it is delicious by all means.
Serve and enjoy.
Now, I would like to share some of my favorite things:)
In my humble opinion the best dates ever are grown in Madina, Saudi Arabia. There are so many kinds sold in Madina here are some of them.
Now off for some history:
Madina is one of the most sacred places on earth for Muslims as there was our prophet lived for many years of his life. There also lies his mosque, his house and his grave.
I hope you’ve liked today’s dessert and enjoyed the quick trip.
Hi Amira
This cake looks amazing… But can you suggest what kind of cream i could use in egypt? I cant find cans of cream only cans of condensed milk? Would juhayna cooking cream work?
Layla, Thank you so much my dear for your question and I’m sorry for being late replying you, I’m in Egypt now and still suffering from a terrible jet lag causing me to sleep most of the day. The cream here or crema is the Nestle one, you can find it here in Egypt by the name Nestle Ashta or Eshta here is the link http://www.nestle-family.com/nestle-dessert-solutions/products/nestl%C3%A9-cream_403099.aspx. I usually buy them from Ragab sons market but they are available in almost every big store chains.
Am I missing something? I dont see where you add dates in the instructions.
Do they go into the blender with the eggs? Do you drain the water?
Sorry Laurie, you are right I did not mention it in the post. Corrected and thanks for stopping by
Assalamu alaikum, great recipes, thanks for sharing. 1 correction: Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) wasnt born in Madinah but in Makkah. May Allah bless you
Wa Alaykom Assalam dear sister,
First of all Jazakom Allah Khairan, I know he – peace and blessings be upon him- was born and lived till Hijra in Makkah!!! I have no idea how I wrote it that way 🙂 it slipped my mind or may be one of my kids kept nagging me while writing the post. I do apologize to you and my readers for thin unintentional mistake.
Thanks for your nice comment and I hope you will try it Inshaa Allah soon.
Amazing. Want to smother this in peanut butter.
I remember my kids getting sick within the first week of school…then I’d get whatever nasty virus they brought home. But this date cake could make me forget my woes…it looks moist and wonderful!
They usually do and trick me with their school viruses :). Thanks Liz for stopping by.
I hate getting sick! So sorry you’ve been under the weather, and hope you’re feeling well soon. Lovely looking cake — dates have such a stupendous flavor! This must be heaven — thanks.
The cake looks very delicious…I hope you get well soon, Amira!!!!
Thanks Denise, I am getting better with some home remedies.
Oh, I hope you’re doing better. I heard lots of tea (and cakes) can do miracles, but nothing can beat rest!
I’ve that too 🙂 cake is a wonderful home remedy for any illness … Thanks Gintare for your comment.