Date and Cardamom Cake with Coffee Frosting

Makes 10 servings

CAKE 1 stick butter, softened, plus extra

for greasing 1¼ cups soft dates, pitted ¾ cup sugar 2 large eggs 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking powder A pinch of salt

FROSTING 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules 6 tablespoons butter, softened 1¼ cups powder sugar 1 tablespoon boiling water

Instructions:

Butter a loaf tin (approximately 9 by 5 inches) and line with parchment paper. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Chop dates and place them in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of water to pan and bring to boil over a low heat, stirring occasionally. When dates disintegrate into a soft paste, take off heat and set aside. In mixing bowl, add butter and sugar, cream together, then add eggs, mixing in one by one. Fold in flour, baking powder, spices and salt and when folded, add date mixture and mix well. Pour batter into loaf tin and place in the center of oven for 45 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave cake in the tin to cool.

For the frosting:

Mix coffee granules with a tablespoon of boiling water (no more or you’ll have wet frosting until granules dissolve). Add butter and sugar and whisk until soft and creamy. When cake has cooled, remove from tin and smooth frosting over the top.