Sticky Date Caramel Cake
This cake is proof that dates can be used in something other than a boring-ass scone and can be delicious… Personally dates are not my favourite, which is no disrespect to the date – I just associate childhood trauma with them. Okay, of course that is me being dramatic, but let me explain. My parents owned a health-food shop and my dad was a naturopath, and this meant that when as a child I asked for sweets and candy I would get f*cken dried fruit – and the DATE featured a lot as a ‘treat’ … bleugh. I’m definitely standing by my ‘childhood trauma’ statement. I am well aware of the irony that I now live life by the sweet, sweet sugar crystal and run a business dealing in sugary treats.
Cake prep 30 mins Baking 30–40 mins Chilling 2 hours Makes 3x 18cm round layers Serves approx. 18 (dessert-size serves) when decorated
1 recipe Salted Caramel (see page 84), pre-prepared260g pitted dates2 tablespoons baking500g plain flour100g cornflour425g soft brown sugar35g baking powder285g butter, at room temperature5 whole eggs370g milk50g canola oil2 tablespoons date syrup1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
