val's blue ribbon date cake

Name: Val's Blue Ribbon Date Cake
Prep time: 3 h 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 20
Cuisine: English
Ingredients: - 500g (1 lb) dates; - 1 cup strong hot tea; - 1 1/4 ts bicarb soda; - 300g (10 oz) butter; - 1 1/2 cups brown sugar; - 1 ts vanilla essence; - 2 tb each - brandy and sherry (or omitt and use 4 tb milk); - 1 cup chopped walnuts; - 1 1/2 cups plain flour; ## COFFEE ICING - OPTIONAL; - 1/2 cup butter; - 300g (10 oz) icing (confection) sugar, sifted; - 2 tb instant coffee powder; - 1 tb boiling water

7 Pinches

Betty Bramanis

Sydney

Updated on Feb 17, 2018

A winning date cake from Val Jansz, a recipe from the 1950's that always pleases. A buttery, rich date cake dotted with walnuts and served with tea/coffee. Serve either with butter (my favourite) or top with a simple coffee icing.

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prep time 3 Hr 15 Min

cook time 1 Hr 30 Min

method Bake

yield 20 serving(s)

Ingredients

- 500g (1 lb) dates
- 1 cup strong hot tea
- 1 1/4 ts bicarb soda
- 300g (10 oz) butter
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 ts vanilla essence
- 2 tb each - brandy and sherry (or omitt and use 4 tb milk)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups plain flour
COFFEE ICING - OPTIONAL
- 1/2 cup butter
- 300g (10 oz) icing (confection) sugar, sifted
- 2 tb instant coffee powder
- 1 tb boiling water

How To Make val's blue ribbon date cake

Step 1

Snip the dates using kitchen scissors and place into a bowl. Pour the hot tea over the top and let rest for 3 hours or up to over night.

Step 2

After 3 hours :- pre heat oven to 180oC (365oF). Line and grease a 22cm (9 inch) square tin. I like to use two loaf tins.
Step 3

In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, vanilla and alcohol. Add the chopped nuts and flour alternatively with the date mixture. Fold gently.
Step 4

Pour into the pre pared tin(s) and bake in the pre heated oven. If making one cake bake for 90 - 120 minutes. If making two loaves, bake for 55-65 minutes.
Step 5

Cool in the tin(s) for 15 minutes. Turn out on to a wire rack and let cool completely before icing or enjoy warm or cold with butter.
Step 6

Coffee icing: Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl. Combine the coffee to the water and pour into the creamed mixture and stir well.
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