INGREDIENTS FOR THE CUSTARD serves

300g stoned dates, chopped 6 large eggs, separated 350g light muscovado sugar 200g wholemeal flour 2 tsp baking powder 100g cocoa 5 tbsp custard powder 5 tbsp light muscovado sugar 50g cocoa powder 1.2l skimmed milk

METHOD

1. Cover the dates with boiling water and set aside to soften for 30 mins. 2. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3 and line a 20x30cm baking tin with baking parchment. 3. Drain dates, reserving the liquid. Whizz the dates to a purée with 100ml of the soaking liquid. 4. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric whisk until stiff peaks hold on the end of your whisk. 5. Add half the sugar and beat until thick and glossy. 6. In another bowl, beat the yolks and remaining sugar till pale. 7. Whisk in the mashed date mixture, then fold into the egg white mixture until well combined. 8. Mix the flour, baking powder and cocoa with a pinch of salt. 9. Sprinkle over the wet mixture and very gently fold in until well combined. 10. Gently scrape into the tin and spread to edges. 11. Bake for 35-40 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean. 12. Meanwhile, mix the custard powder, sugar and cocoa together in a saucepan. 13. Stir in dribbles of milk until it’s a smooth paste. Gradually add more milk until it’s all incorporated with no lumps. 14. Put over a medium heat and warm, stirring constantly, until thick and just bubbling. 15. Cut the warm cake into slabs and pour over the hot custard to serve. ● Recipe from bbcgoodfood.com