Jeanne’s Queen Elizabeth Cake

Ingredients

• Cake

  • 1 cup (250 ml) water
  • 1 cup (250 ml) dates, pitted and halved
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking soda
  • A pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (250 ml) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped walnuts

• Topping

  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) 35% cream
  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut

• Sauce

  • 1 cup (250 ml) brown sugar
  • 1 cup (250 ml) sugar
  • 1 cup (250 ml) 35% cream