Cardamom-Date Snack Cake

This spicy little cake welcomes a glass of milk or cup of hot tea. The dates make this treat extremely moist and tender, so use a serrated knife to cut it.

Yield
16 servings

Ingredients
Cake:
* Cooking spray
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 5 tablespoons butter, softened
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 cup applesauce
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 large eggs
* 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates

Topping:
* 1/3 cup sliced almonds
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 3 tablespoons brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons butter, melted


Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare cake, coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.

Lightly spoon 2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 2 cups flour and next 5 ingredients (through cinnamon) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine 5 tablespoons butter and the next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moist. Stir in dates. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

To prepare topping, combine sliced almonds and remaining ingredients, stirring with a fork until blended. Sprinkle evenly over batter. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 230 (30% from fat)
Fat: 7.6g (sat 3.6g,mono 2.6g,poly 0.8g)
Protein: 3.9g
Carbohydrate: 37.8g
Fiber: 1.7g
Cholesterol: 53mg
Iron: 1.6mg
Sodium: 248mg
Calcium: 52mg

source by: myrecipes.com
recipes by: Dana McCauley, Cooking Light
Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro