Depression-Era Orange Date Cake

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"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 :)"

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 9

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)

• GLAZE

• 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.