Ingredients
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1 1/4 cups pitted dates, halved (175 grams)
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1 1/4 cups boiling water
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1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
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100 g unsalted butter, softened and chopped
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3/4 cup brown sugar, measured firmly packed (165 grams)
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2 eggs, lightly beaten
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1 teaspoon ground ginger
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60 g unsalted butter
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1/2 cup dark brown sugar, measured firmly packed (110 grams)
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1/4 cup pouring cream (60ml)
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3/4 cup icing sugar, sifted (120 grams)
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1 1/2 cups self-raising flour (225 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C Line 18 holes of muffin pans (1/3 cup measure) with paper cases. This recipe uses 'regular' muffin pan size not the Texan/large style.
- Combine the dates and 1 1/4 cups boiling water in a small saucepan, Bring to the boil over low-medium heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and mash lightly with a potato masher. Stir in the bicarb/baking soda and allow to stand for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the butter and brown sugar into the warm date mixture until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
- Stir in the eggs until combined.
- SIft in the flour and ginger, then fold in with a metal spoon until combined.
- Divide the mixture into the paper cases and smooth the mixture over with the back of a spoon.
- Bake 15 minutes or until the tops are firm when touched.
- Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
- To make the icing- combine the butter, brown sugar and the cream in a small saucepan over a low heat, stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to just below boiling point, then reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring until thickened.
- Remove from the heat and gradually beat in the ising sugar until smooth.
- Spread the icing onto cakes and decorate by sprinkling with the optional sugar.