Eggless Butterless Dates Cake /Dates Cake

Today is day 4 and its the final day post for this week and the recipe is Dates cake under the eggless cake series.I wanted to try this cake ever since I bookmarked from Divya's space.
In the original recipe the cake looks dark brown color like a fruit cake.But mine was came out light so pale. Its may be due to the color of the dates and  also I cooked the dates with milk instead of water.That's the reason couldn't achieve a dark brown color like the original one.The cake came out so spongy with a perfect texture and the addition of cardamom powder makes it more flavorful.
This cake can be eaten as such but it tastes awesome when its served along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.Off to the recipe..............................................

                                                                        

                                                                                      Eggless Butterless Dates Cake

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   Basic Information

   Preparation time ~ 15 minutes

   Cooking time ~ 30-40 minutes

   Makes ~ 8 inch cake

    

   Ingredients

  

Ingredient	Quantity
All purpose flour	11/4 cups
Dates/perichampazham	16-20
Olive oil or any neutral oil	6 tbs
Sugar	6 tbs
Baking powder	11/5 tsp
Baking soda	1/4 tsp
Custard powder	2 tbs
Salt	a pinch
Cardamom powder/ellakai	1/4 tsp
Milk	1/2 cup
Cashews/mudiri	10-15(chopped)
Nutmeg and cinnamon powder	a pinch each(optional)

    Method 

• Take all purpose flour,baking soda and powder and sieve it for couple of times.Grease the baking pan with baking spray or oil and dust some flour or put a parchment paper.Keep it aside.

•  Now in a pan take the milk and dates and cook it for 10 minutes or till the dates become soft.Let it cool down completely and grind it to a fine paste.

• Pre- heat the oven in 350 F and in a mixing bowl take the oil and sugar,beat it well with a whisker or hand blend till it becomes frothy.Add in the ground dates paste and mix it well.Now add the sieved flour and cardamom powder,nutmeg and cinnamon powder(if you are using).

• Mix it well with the spatula gently,now add in the chopped cashews and give it a mix.Transfer the cake batter to the baking pan and bake it in the pre- heated oven for 35-40 minutes or a tooth pick comes out clean.After couple of minutes invert the cake to a wire rack and remove the parchment paper.Let it cool completely,after cooling slice it.

•  Store it in a container,after it cools down completely.

• If the consistency of the batter is too thick then add some re milk and adjust the consistency.
• Sieve the flour for couple of times,its necessary to get a nice texture.
• Do not bake it for more than 40 minutes.
• This cake can be stored in room temperature in air tight container for two days.

Enjoy............................................................

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