"Mumma....Pink color is for girls....." said five year old Rohail, as his mother points at a pretty doughnut topped with pink strawberry icing at the local bakery. Futile yet the umpteenth attempt... at showing the apple of her eye, a world beyond brown chocolate color and flavor.
"And how about this? looks lovely....mmmm and delicious?" asked Mumma, trying harder. This time pointing at a petite white forest pastry, topped with a shiny cherry sitting amist delicate white cholcolate flakes, lined at the display. It ...."IS" chocolate, just that its not brown but white.....
"Nooo...."says the little boy rolling his eyes...."I don't like Chocolate that doesn't look like a chocolate!!!"
That's the usual little conversation I have with my son, in my attempt to deal with his chocolate addiction. (now that's one addiction no one wants to overcome, isn't it?including me.) As a healthy substitute for chocolate, I hit gold with this "Date cake". Already a hit at home, even Rohail has mistaken it as "Chocolate cake" by its appearance and sweet taste. A misconception, I don't mind him settling with. Full of Date-goodness...Calcium, fiber, minerals, Iron and the list will go on and on.
This recipe has been in the family for a very long time, just that I came across it recently, all credits to Qamar aapa for sharing such a wonderful and perfect cake, through the years. A gem of a person with a gem of a cake.
After trying several versions of date cakes, I stopped at this one and said...This is it!!!! With the right moisture, the color, texture and ease....This is it!!
That's the batter ready for the show....
Lovely aroma..you could almost smell the sweetness!!
The golden crumbs, the chewiness of dates in between...the texture, ....just yummm....
Ingredients
- Pitted Dates- 250 gms
- Water- 5 tbs
- Baking Soda- 1/2 tbs
- Sugar- 1/2 cup
- Butter- 3/4 cup
- Eggs- 2 nos.
- Baking Powder- 1/4 tsp
- Maida- 3/4 cup
Directions
- 1In a bowl, add the pitted dates, 5 tbsp water and 1/2 tbs soda, stir and allow it to sit and soak for 5 hours.
- 2After 5 hours, mix the date-water mixture gently with hands, to achieve a coarse chunky-pulpy mixture.(don't over mix)
- 3Preheat oven at 170 degree C. Take another bowl, whip softened butter with sugar until soft and fluffy. Add the eggs and baking powder, whip gently. Fold in the flour little by little until incorporated. Add the dates-water mixture and fold it through. Pour into a greased and flour dusted Baking pan. Bake at 160 Degree C for 50 mins or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clear. Allow to cool before slicing.
- Tips:
- 1This recipe makes 10 slices approx.
- 2The ingredients can be doubled for double cake size serving.
