10 Mar 2025
Cook time 58 min
Prep time 20 min
Ingredients:
1 cup self-raising flour
2 tbsp all-purpose white wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup dates
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 bananas
1 cup water
1 tsp corn flour
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Banana Date Cake with Caramel Sauce is an indulgent dessert that blends the sweetness of ripe bananas with the richness of dates and a luscious caramel sauce. It’s a perfect treat for any occasion, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan or a 9x5 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Dates:
- In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add the chopped dates. Let them soak until they become soft and the water cools down to room temperature.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, all-purpose white wheat flour, baking soda, and ground nutmeg.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and add the brown sugar, mixing until well combined.
- Stir in the buttermilk and mashed bananas until evenly mixed.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the soaked dates, including their soaking water, until evenly distributed.
6. Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare the Caramel Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, dissolve 1 tsp of corn flour in a little bit of water to form a smooth paste.
- Add the remaining water (about 1/2 cup) and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in the 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract.
- Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
8. Serve:
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cooled banana date cake just before serving.
- Optionally, you can serve additional caramel sauce on the side.
Tips:
- Ensure the bananas are ripe as they add natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
- Chop the dates finely to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the cake batter.
- Use fresh buttermilk to achieve the best flavor and texture in the cake.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before pouring over the caramel sauce to prevent it from soaking in too much.
- Consider adding a pinch of salt to the caramel sauce to enhance the flavor.
- Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done; it should come out clean when inserted into the center.
Enjoy this Banana Date Cake with Caramel Sauce warm, served slightly with a dollop of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This dessert promises to be a crowd-pleaser, leaving your guests asking for seconds!