Sticky Date Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 350F
2. 2
   Place dates in medium bowl; add boiling water.
3. 3
   Set aside.
4. 4
   Combine sugar and 1/4 cup butter in large bowl.
5. 5
   Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
6. 6
   Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.
7. 7
   Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder and salt.
8. 8
   Beat until well mixed.
9. 9
   Stir in date mixture by hand until well mixed.
10. 10
    Pour batter into greased 9-inch round baking pan.
11. 11
    (Batter will be thin.)
12. 12
    Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
13. 13
    Poke top of hot cake 10 to 15 times with fork.
14. 14
    Meanwhile, melt 1/3 cup butter in 1-quart saucepan.
15. 15
    Add brown sugar and 1/3 cup whipping cream.
16. 16
    Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a boil (3 to 4 minutes).
17. 17
    Boil 1 minute.
18. 18
    To serve, pour 1/4 cup sauce over top of warm cake.
19. 19
    Serve cake warm with remaining sauce, if desired.
20. 20
    TIP: Always use the pan size specified in a recipe.
21. 21
    A pan too large will result in a thin, dry cake.
22. 22
    A pan too small will not be large enough to hold the batter as it expands during baking and the cake will overflow in the oven.
23. 23
    To substitute a different pan, check to make sure it holds the same volume as the pan called for in the recipe.
24. 24
    For example, in this recipe an 8-inch square baking pan may be substituted for the 9-inch round baking pan.