La Quinta Cove

Last month the Date Festival was held and many interesting facts were available about Dates. We live in the Date capital of the world and a delicious recipe follows for this unique and nutritious fruit. The weather is still cool enough for baking so give it a try for family and friends.
                                              Spiced Date Cake with Orange Glaze
1 cup cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter - softened
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 cups pitted dates, chopped and tossed with 1 tablespoon flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9-10 inch nonstick bundt pan. Into a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Set aside. Cream butter and brown sugar on medium speed. Add eggs one at a time. Add flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the milk in 2 parts. Fold in dates. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake 25-35 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Invert pan, and let cool; loosen with a knife and remove from pan.

Glaze
1/2 pound confectioners’ sugar
zest of 1 orange
3 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons Rum

Drizzle over cooled cake and sprinkle with additional dates if desired.