Date-Nut Cake With Coconut Frosting

From Family Circle. Will try soon!

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 2 loafs

Ingredients

• Cake

• 1 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  chopped pitted dates
• 1  tablespoon solid shortening
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  egg, lightly beaten
• 1  cup  chopped walnuts

• Frosting

• 2  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6  tablespoons light-brown sugar
• 3  tablespoons heavy cream
• 1  cup  shredded coconut

Directions

1. Cake:heat oven to 350°F Coat two 5 3/4x3x2 1/8-inch mini loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar and salt. Set aside.
3. Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add dates, shortening, baking soda and vanilla. Stir until shortening is melted. Remove from heat; stir into dry ingredients. Add egg and beat with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are combined. Stir in walnuts.
4. Divide between prepared loan pans. Bake at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. turn out onto rack; cool completely.
5. Frosting: heat broiler. In a small saucepan, melt butter and sugar. Stir in cream and coconut. Spread frosting equally over the two loaves. Broil for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until lightly browned. Let loaves cool completely.
6. To present as a gift, place cooled cake in devorative tin or wrap in pretty paper.