Banana and Date Cake

• 2 3/4 cups cake flour (maida)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Microwave ½ cup of dates on high for 10 minutes and puree. Mash the bananas with buttermilk and add it to the puree and keep aside.

Mix and sift the flour, baking powder and soda, salt together and keep aside.

Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar and eggs until peaks form when you lift the whisks. Add vanilla essence. Carefully fold in the flour taking care to avoid lump formation. At low speed, beat in flour mixture and the mashed banana and date mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Add chopped dates and walnuts. (I used some candied cherries as well)

Prepare a cake tin with butter and dust flour over it. Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake for 1 hour or until cake tests done. Insert a clean knife carefully and if it comes out clean without any cake mixture sticking to it, your cake’s done! Cool for 15 minutes and then turn it upside down and cool completely. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top and serve.