Date and Walnut Cake Recipe

My mom’s elder sister, my aunty Loretta who expired exactly a year ago always brought us homemade goodies whenever she visited. She loved cooking and was always watching cooking shows and taking classes since the time she was very young. All this amidst the multiple shifts she did and managed her home very well, was known for charitable works through a lot of organizations and especially at the cancer hospital she worked at(the best in India). She was involved in a lot of church activities and really pushed herself. This cake reminds me of her because of so many reasons. Because she would bring us an entire date and walnut cake very often when she would visit our home. Her cake was always so moist and juicy. Unfortunately I never asked her for the recipe. So, this one is just mine. It is a delicious cake and I will be making it again tomorrow because this is one of my husband’s favourite cakes too and this is the one he has requested me to bake. Here is my recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 200 gm dried black dates, stoned and chopped
• 150 gm chopped/broken walnuts
• 50 gm butter
• 100 gm powdered sugar/icing sugar or even brown sugar
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda/cooking soda/ soda bi-carbonate
• 175-200 ml water approximately (just enough to cover the dates)
• 2 eggs
• 200 gm all purpose flour/maida
• 1/4th tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Cooking Time: 50 minutes in the oven approximately plus preparation time

Serves: 12-15 approximately

Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 180°C for 15mins.
2. Boil the water and add the chopped dates. Add 1/2tsp baking soda and turn off the gas. Keep aside to cool. The dates will become soft and mushy. Remember to save some uncooked pieces as well for added crunch and a tantalizing texture.
3. Seperate the egg whites and whisk until stiff. Keep aside in a cool place.
4. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
5. Add the egg yolks one at a time and mix well.
6. Add the flour, cinnamon powder, baking powder, essence and the remaining baking soda slowly mixing very gently and fold using a spatula.
7. Add the nuts and the dates mixture and fold into the batter.
8. Pour the batter into a prepared tin/silicone mould and bake at 160°C for 50 minutes or until a knife/toothpick inserted into the cake up to the bottom comes out clean.
9. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack/mesh to cool for atleast 15mins. Remove from the mould and allow to cool completely before cutting.

May your soul rest in peace, aunty Loretta.
-RUELHA 
www.ruelha.com
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