Date and Walnut Cake (Eggless)

What cake makes you feel good about eating it? I know its a death by chocolate cake but which one is healthy? Yes! A date and walnut one. Iron, Potassium, Vitamin A and fiber from dates, and Vitamin E, Omega -3 fatty acids and Iron from Walnuts. And its easy bake even for a novice baker. Originally baked with all purpose flour, I have baked it with half whole wheat four and half all purpose flour with good results. The picture above is for the half whole wheat version.

Ingredients: 

2 cups All purpose flour (maida)

3/4th cup (200 grams) condensed milk

125 grams butter, salted (if using unsalted butter, add 1/2 teaspoon salt)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup milk

15-18 pieces dates

1 cup walnuts

1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

Chop the dates into small pieces and soak them in lukewarm milk for half and hour. Chop the walnuts and coat them in one tablespoon of the flour (out of the two cups of flour).

Preheat an oven to 200 degrees F. Prepare a loaf pan by applying a thin coat of butter on the bottom and sides. Next take a tablespoon of flour and roll it around the pan so the bottom and sides are well coated. shake off the excess flour. 

In a large bowl, beat the condensed milk and butter together for 2 minutes. Mix in the milk and dates mixture and the vanilla along with the sugar. Mix well.

In another bowl, sift together the flour and the baking powder and soda. Fold this in to the wet mix. When all the flour is added, fold in the walnuts. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes. To check if done insert a toothpick in the center, it it is clean the cake is done. Else bake for additional time. I used a aluminium pan, silicon mould will need more time and a dark pan will need less time. The cake will also have a beautiful browned top.

Serve warm with coffee. Or drizzle with some chocolate sauce and have as dessert.

Variations:

Make mini muffins, baking for 12 minutes
Make muffins, baking for 20 minutes