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Depression-Era Orange Date Cake
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Ready In: 55 Minutes
Servings: 9
This cake was made on two occasions, once with butter and one time using 1/2 cup Canola oil in place of the butter and had good results using the oil - this is a moist cake that is full of flavor, raisins may used instead of dates or a mixture of both - because of the sweet glaze I found that 3/4 cup sugar for the cake batter was plenty, if you have an extreme sweet tooth then use 1 cup - this freezes well :)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4-1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 -2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon warm water
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 orange, zest of, grated
1/2-3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped dates (can use raisins)
1 orange, juice of
1/2 cup sugar
Directions:
1. Set oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9 x 9-inch glass baking pan.
3. In a bowl cream the butter with egg and vanilla until light and fluffy.
4. Place the buttermilk into a bowl.
5. In a small cup or bowl dissolve the baking soda in warm water and stir into the buttermilk.
6. In another bowl sift the flour with baking powder, salt and orange zest; add into creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture; stir until blended.
7. Mix in the nuts and raisins.
8. Transfer to prepared baking pan.
9. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the cake tests done.
10. For the glaze; in a bowl mix orange juice with 1/2 cup sugar and pour over the hot cake while still in the pan to form a glaze.
11. Cool before slicing.
By RecipeOfHealth.com