The Delectable delight: Date cake

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Here's what you need:

1 cup wheat flour(I used Sujata atta)
1/2 packet of 13 oz baking dates or 20 seedless dates
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil (canola oil or sunflower preferred)
1 teaspoon baking soda
Handful of raisins and chopped walnuts

The cooking process


  • Soak the dates in 1/2 cup of warm milk for at least an hour.
  • Switch on the oven to 350 deg F.
  • Grind the soaked dates along with sugar,oil and the milk in which it was soaked to a smooth paste.
  • Sieve the wheat flour along with the baking soda thrice.This really help to make the cake light.I have always follow this as a practice since I baked my first cake.
  • In a large bowl add the paste,remaining milk and then fold in the flour one table spoon at a time. 
  • Add the raisins and nuts and mix only until everything is incorporated well.Don't over mix.Always mix the cake batter in only one direction,this helps to incorporate more air making the cake lighter.You might need to add few tablespoons of water to make a smooth batter.
  • Pour in a greased cake pan (I used 9*5 inch loaf pan) and bake for 45-50 mins or until the toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the cake.Let it cool completely before you unmould. Brew a hot cup of coffee the next morning enjoy the cake. Taste best a day later.

Note:

If you do not own a oven you could bake this cake (infact any cake) in the pressure cooker.
Pour the cake batter in a greased aluminium or steel vessel.
Remove the gasket seal (also called the ring) and the weight(whistle) of the pressure cooker.In the empty pressure cooker without water,place a steel or aluminium plate and then place the vessel with the cake batter and close the lid.Let it cook initially on medium high flame for 10 mins and then on low flame for 45--50 mins.

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