Lumberjack Cake

Ingredients

• 2 apples, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 60 g butter
• 1/4 cup pecan nuts (optional)
• Topping
• 60 g butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 -2 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut