Eggless Date Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Heat milk in a saucepan until almost boiling and stir in dates; let soak for several hours, refrigerated. For best flavor, refrigerate dates and milk overnight.
2. 2
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a medium loaf pan.
3. 3
   Transfer milk and dates to food processor, add brown sugar, and process into a smooth paste. Mix in vegetable oil and vanilla extract with a few pulses.
4. 4
   Whisk flour, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Pulse flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, into the date paste until batter is smooth; do not overmix. Stir walnuts into batter with a fork and transfer to the prepared loaf pan.
5. 5
   Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes.