sticky date cake with orange & cinnamon

sticky date cake with orange and cinnamon

Spicy tea breads, sticky fruit cakes and cinnamon were often a feature on the tea table when I was a child. I remember chewing on cinnamon sticks and loving the strong, spicy flavour. Just a few of the taste memories I have brought together in this recipe.

My everyday cake recipes are also inspired by looking for solutions to what goes well with a cup of tea or coffee. They generally have to involve minimum kitchen fuss, no fancy techniques, have ingredients that are easy to find, and above all taste great. I love experimenting with flavour combinations from all around the world. My sticky date cake has hints of the Middle East with the use of dates, cinnamon and orange flower water - flavorings I love. Feel free to mix up the spices to your own personal taste though - I have given a few suggestions in the cooking hints and tips below. 

A lovely moist cake, this lasts well for a few days in an airtight container - and actually seems to improve after a day or 2. I hope you enjoy. 

Thanks for stopping by. Do say hello and feel free to share your recent recipes and makes in the comments below.  

ingredients:

200g chopped pitted dates

140g plain flour

50g wholemeal flour

100g brown sugar

180ml hot tea
2 eggs
2 tbsp marmalade
100g butter 

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda/baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp orange flower water 

pinch of salt

cooking hints & tips:

• this cake would be great with a few optional extras too. You could add 75-100g of chopped walnuts or stem ginger to the mix after you add the flour. 
• you can also swap the spices I used in this version to your personal taste. Ginger, mixed spice, quatre epices and nutmeg would all work well. 
• I think the wholemeal flour adds a little more 'bite' and density to the cake which I like, but the recipe works well with all plain white flour if this is all you have.  
• a quick and easy cake to prepare - and a healthier choice for packed lunches and snacks. A useful 'back to school' or work recipe for you to try. 

preparation time: 15 minutes

cooking time: 35-45 minutes

method:

1. add the chopped dates to the hot tea and leave to plump up for about 20-30 minutes then give them a quick whizz in the food processor (or mix/mash by hand) to create a thick date paste.
2. preheat the oven to 180c then grease and line a 20cm square baking tin
3. melt the butter with the sugar, marmalade and orange flower water then stir into the date mix
4. add the eggs and mix well
5. sieve in the flours, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix
6. spoon into your prepared baking tin and bake for 35-45 minutes. It's cooked when a skewer comes out clean
7. leave to cool for 5-10 minutes in the tin before turning out. Leave to cool before slicing and serving.

Bon appetit! 

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