Queen Elizabeth Cake

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pitted dates
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 3/4 cups flour, sifted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup 35% cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened dried shredded coconut

Recipe

• 1 cake:.
• 2 with the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350°f line the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. butter and flour the sides.
• 3 in a saucepan, bring the water, dates and baking soda to a boil. simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. transfer to a bowl and let cool.
• 4 in a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. set aside.
• 5 in another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer. add the eggs one at a time, beating until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. with the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients, alternating with the date mixture. pour into the pan. bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. remove from the oven. if desired, place the pan on a baking sheet to catch any icing that might spill over. set the oven to broil.
• 6 icing:.
• 7 in a saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly. reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 2 minutes.
• 8 spread the icing on the hot cake and broil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.