Eggless Dates(khajoor) Cake

Dates(khajoor) are a good source of dietary potassium,fiber and protein.It is generally eaten as a snack food.These days we come across products like dates jam,dates stuffed with amonds and coated with chocolate and so on.There are a variety of dates available like kimia,tunisian ,etc.,here in Indian supermarkets.I have used the desert crown dates which are normally available.
I have followed the method from aayis recipes .

Ingredients:
All purpose flour(maida)                     1cup
Powdered Sugar                                   3/4 cup(i have decreased a bit due to  presence of dates)
Olive Oil                                              1/2cup
Milk                                                      3/4cup
Seedless dates                                       18-20nos
Baking soda                                           1tsp
Vanilla essence                                      1/4tsp
Chopped cashew nuts(for garnish)        1tbsp

Method:

• Boil the milk along with dates(roughly chopped)for a one rolling boil.
• Switch off the flame.Cover it with a lid and rest for 2-3 hours.
• Blend dates using the soaked milk to form a smooth paste and set aside.
• Grease a cake tin with oil and dust with some flour.
• Pre-heat the oven @180 Degrees C.
• Sieve the flour with baking soda for 2-3 times,set aside.
• In a mixing bowl either using electric blender or a wire whisk cream together oil,sugar first.
• Then add the prepared paste,vanilla and beat until creamy.
• Add the sifted flour in batches and mix it using cut and fold method.
• If the batter is too tight add 1-2tbsp of water and mix gently.
• Pour into the prepared tin,sprinkle the chopped nuts and set the oven temperature to 170 Degrees and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the tester comes out clean.

Just out of oven

After slicing

One more way of decorating the cake-

Have used powdered sugar to get a checkerboard formation :)