Belle Goodfriend’s Date-Nut Cake

1 cup chopped dates, solidly packed

½ cup chopped walnuts

1 cup boiling water

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup whole-wheat flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

⅛ teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped topping or whipped cream, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 × 9-inch baking pan. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine the dates, walnuts, and water. Let stand until cooled.

In a medium bowl combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl cream together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and beat well to combine. Stir in the date-nut mixture. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, beating just until combined. Add the vanilla and beat well. Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped topping.

Makes 16 servings

Joanne Harter, Lady HiJinks, Court Jester
Hot Tamales of Watertown,
Harrisville, New York