One of the first cakes I successfully baked and then kept baking again and again due to popular request was a cake with Dates in it.It was and still continues to be my amma's favourite cake.I also remember having a cake with Dates and carrots in my friends place and to this date I remember how delicious it was.I made a very similar tasting cake some time back and that is a wonderful recipe too.
When I saw this recipe in YouTube,I immediately wrote down the recipe deciding to try it out soon.The catchy part was the soaking of Dates in honey.The combination of Dates,Carrot and Walnut is something irresistible if you ask me :) The cream cheese icing (optional,but highly recommended) takes the simple cake a notch higher and makes it fancy.Do try it out.
Honey soaked Dates and Carrot Cake
Recipe courtesy - Mahima's Cooking Class
Ingredients
Flour/Maida - 150gms
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Cooking oil(I used Rice Bran) - 1/2 cup
Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
Eggs - 2
Vanilla - 1/2 tsp
Dates - 1/4 cup
Honey - 1/4 cup
Carrot - 1 1/2 cups
Walnut - 1/4 cup
For the Frosting
Butter - 50 gms
Icing sugar - 3/4 cup
Cream cheese - 35 gms
Method
Soak the chopped dates in honey for at least an hour.
Grease and line an 8"round cake tin.Preheat oven to 180C.
Sift together flour,baking powder,baking soda,cinnamon powder and salt.
In a mixing bowl add the brown sugar and oil and beat for a minute.
Add the eggs and vanilla and beat for another two minutes.
Add the soaked dates with honey and grated carrots and beat again.
Now add the flour in batches and beat well till you get a smooth batter.Fold in the walnuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and tap a few times.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool the cake completely.
Make the Frosting
Beat the butter well for a minute.
Add the icing sugar and beat well.
Now add the cream cheese and beat till combined.
Apply the frosting evenly over the cooled cake and garnish with grated carrots and walnuts.
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Soak the chopped dates in honey for at least an hour.
Grease and line an 8"round cake tin.Preheat oven to 180C.
Sift together flour,baking powder,baking soda,cinnamon powder and salt.
In a mixing bowl add the brown sugar
and oil and beat for a minute.
Add the eggs and vanilla and beat for another two minutes.
Add the soaked dates with honey and
grated carrots and beat again.
Now add the flour in batches and beat well till you get a smooth batter.
Fold in the walnuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and tap a few times.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool the cake completely.
Make the Frosting
Beat the butter well for a minute.
Add the icing sugar and beat well.
Now add the cream cheese and
vanilla,
beat till combined.
Apply the frosting evenly over the cooled cake and garnish with grated carrots and walnuts.
