Date & Coconut Cake
Submitted by happyzhangbo
Moist date cake with a bubbly brown sugar and coconut topping baked right on. Dates simmered in water create natural sweetness, while the toasted coconut layer adds caramel crunch.
YIELD
12 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
35 minREADY
55 minThis two-step cake builds flavor from the bottom up. First, a tender date batter bakes in a springform pan. Then a bubbling brown sugar and coconut topping gets poured over and the whole thing goes back in the oven until golden.
The dates simmer with baking soda and butter until soft, then get stirred directly into the batter. They add natural caramel-like sweetness and keep the crumb moist for days.
That coconut topping? It caramelizes in the oven into a sticky, toasty crown that makes frosting completely unnecessary.
Baker’s Tips
- Let the date mixture stand the full 10 minutes so the dates soften completely and the baking soda reacts.
- Pour the topping over the partially baked cake evenly. Uneven coverage means some spots burn while others stay pale.
- Use a springform pan so you can remove the cake without destroying that gorgeous topping.
- Cool completely before slicing. The topping firms up as it cools and slices much cleaner.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
To prepare cake, combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes or until dates are tender.
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.
Combine flour, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl.
Stir in date mixture, granulated sugar, vanilla, and egg until well combined.
Pour batter into a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
To prepare topping, combine brown sugar and remaining ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute.
Pour brown sugar mixture over cake; bake at 350° for an additional 13 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack.
Run a knife around outside edge.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
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