Ingredients

• 300 g pitted dates
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 500 ml boiling water
• 240 g butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 500 g all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 100 g finely chopped walnuts
• 100 g butter
• 200 g brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 50 g finely chopped walnuts
• 18 pitted dates, cut in half

Instructions

1. chop the dates, place them in a large bowl and sprinkle with baking soda, pour over the boiling water and let cool.

2. preheat your oven to 170 °C.

3. meanwhile whip the butter, about 4-5 minutes.

4. add the egg and whip again until fluffy.

5. now add the flour combined with the salt and the walnuts.

6. finally, pour in the date mixture and mix well.

7. spread on a baking pan (approximately 25 x 38 cm) lined with baking paper and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.

8. let the cake cool, turn it over and remove the baking paper.

9. prepare the icing: in a saucepan, melt the butter and the cream on low heat.

10. add the sugar, increase heat to medium and cook for 3 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

11. while still hot, pour on the cake and spread evenly.

12. sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the cake and decorate with dates.