Queen Elizabeth Cake (with Dates and Coconut)

Name: Queen Elizabeth Cake (with Dates and Coconut)
Total time: 7200 s
Yield: 9-in by 13-in pan
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Cake; 1 cup (250 ml) water; 1 cup (140 grams) pitted, coarsely chopped dates; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 220 grams (1 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour, sifted; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 pinch Kosher salt; 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup (170 grams) dark brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 1/2 cups (265 grams) brown sugar; 1 1/2 cups (114 grams) unsweetened finely shredded coconut

Ricardo @tallcook

Manhattan, New York, United States

I tried this cake at the Boulangerie Le Pain dans les Voiles in Montréal and liked its combination of dates and coconut. Apparently it was named after the Queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, and probably created in 1953 to celebrate her coronation. Or was it invented in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI and named after his wife, Queen Elizabeth? Regardless of its origin, the cake is delicious.

Ricardo @tallcook

Manhattan, New York, United States

Saved

Ingredients

2 hours

9-in by 13-in pan

For the Cake
1 cup (250 ml)water
1 cup (140 grams)pitted, coarsely chopped dates
1/2 teaspoonbaking soda
220 grams (1 3/4 cups)all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoonsbaking powder
1 pinchKosher salt
1/2 cup (113 grams)unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (170 grams)dark brown sugar
2eggs
For the Frosting
1/2 cup (113 grams)unsalted butter
1/2 cupheavy cream
1 1/2 cups (265 grams)brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (114 grams)unsweetened finely shredded coconut

Saved

Steps

2 hours

1

Butter the insides of a 9-in x 13-in rectangular Pyrex baking dish. Line it with parchment paper. Butter and flour the paper, bottom and sides.
2

In a saucepan, bring the water, dates and baking soda to a boil. Simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
3

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4

With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350°F (180 C).
5

In another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
6

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients, alternating with the date mixture. Pour into the pan.
7

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, 23minutes. Remove from the oven. Place the pan on a baking sheet to catch any icing that might spill over. Set the oven to broil (regular broil, not maximum broil).
8

Meanwhile in a saucepan, heat up butter and cream, then add rest of frosting ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 2 minutes.
9

Spread the frosting on the hot cake and broil until golden brown, just 2 minutes. Let it cool before slicing and serving.