Jayam Cookhouse: Eggless Dates Almond Butter Cake

A smile is no index of friendship. Real friendship makes the heart also smile. - Thirukkural

Dates are packed with essential nutrients, vitamin and minerals. Fresh dates compose of soft, easily digestible flesh and simple sugar like fructose and dextrose. When eaten, they replenish energy and revitalize the body instantly. The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. They contain antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti- inflammatory and anti- hemorrhagic properties. Dates also has moderate source of vitamin A which is essential for vision. Dates are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, manganese and copper.

Dates cake are made by combining dates to the cake batter. Date can be used as a whole or can be grounded to a paste. By either way its tastes delicious...

Ingredients

APF/ maida – 1 cup
Baking powder – 1/2 tsp
Baking soda – ¼ tsp
Dates – 1 cup
Butter – ¼ cup
Sugar – ¾ cup and ½ cup
Salt- a pinch
Milk- 3/4 cup
Almonds sliced – ¼ cup

Method

First soak pitted dates in milk and microwave it for 1 minute and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.(Instead of microwave, you can also heat milk directly in a stove for 5 minutes high and then add dates to the milk)
Next preheat oven for 350degree F.
Then sieve APF with baking powder and baking soda twice.
Then grind the dates with milk and sugar (3/4 cup). Grind it coarsely.
Cream the butter, add grounded dates mixture and mix it well.
Next fold in APF flour, almonds and mix it gently.
Grease the baking pan and pour the cake batter and keep it in the oven.
Cook for 30 minutes or check with the toothpick. Insert toothpick in the center of the cake, if it come out clean, switch off the oven.
Let it rest for 10 minutes and then take out the cake. Cool it on the wire rack.
Grind ½ cup sugar in the mixer grinder , grind it to a powder.
After cake cooled, decorate it with powdered sugar (icing sugar) and almonds.