Wednesday, April 25, 2012

What I Ate Wednesday, featuring Chocolate Chip Date Cake


I have to say this has been a week of particularly delectable food. We have our good weeks and our bad weeks around here when it comes to food, as I’m sure most families do.

This week has been a good one, and I have discovered a few new favourites, including the amazing pancakes pictured above, a noodle recipe from a magazine and a fabulous new cake recipe.

I started my day off last Wednesday with a fruit and almond milk smoothie.

I am finding the Magic Bullet is a big help in our house, because each family member can make an individualized smoothie in his or her own cup.
On Wednesday night, I tried out a noodle recipe from Canadian Family magazine. It turned out quite well, and the children liked it (a rare bonus). I used kamut udon noodles instead of the noodles suggested, and I used a combo of Bragg’s and tamari instead of soy sauce.
On Thursday, I made some blueberry and raspberry muffins from a recipe in The Garden of Vegan. I have to say they were yummy.
We usually have Taco Tuesdays, but last week it happened to be Taco Thursday.
We always start with a base of veggie ground round and refried beans. We put everything on the table in pots and bowls, so everybody can make their own tacos.
I had leftover tacos for lunch on Friday as well. As you can see, I’m not tidy about it.
These “Maple and Apple Cinnamon Pancakes” are from a recipe in the Skinny Bitch Ultimate Everyday Cookbook. They were so fluffy and good I would make them again right now if I had any maple syrup left. I highly recommend this book, by the way.
My husband improvised a minestrone soup on Sunday. It was quite tasty, and I had it again for lunch on Monday, with some toasted spelt bread.
That brings me to my new cake recipe. This little chocolate chip date cake is for those with a good, strong sweet tooth.
Chocolate chips and dates become almost indistinguishable from one another here in this moist sensation.
All I know is it's good!
Chocolate Chip Date Cake


by Joann MacDonald
Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes
Keywords: bake dessert vegetarian vegan dates chocolate chips cake

Ingredients (1 small cake)
    For the Cake
    • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
    • 1 cup chopped dates
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • 1/2 cup Earth Balance margarine
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 eggs or egg replacer to equal two eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1 1/2 cups light spelt flour (or white flour)
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    Topping
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1 cup chocolate chips
    • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
    Instructions
    Preheat the oven to 350°F

    For the Cake
    In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the dates. Add baking soda and let the mixture cool.
    In a large bowl, beat together the margarine and the sugar. Add the eggs or egg replacer and vanilla and beat together. Stir in the cooled date mixture.
    In a small bowl, sift the flour and the salt together. Stir into the wet ingredients. Beat everything together well and pour into a greased 8-inch square pan.
    For the Topping
    In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, chocolate chips and walnuts.
    Sprinkle the mixture over the cake batter.
    Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
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    23 comments:

    1. mhhh ,i want a Date with the Chocolate Chip Date Cake ,looks delicious :)

      Wish you a great Day!

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      1. You gave me a good laugh today - you go on that date, girl! Have a wonderful day too! Joann

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    2. Oh yum! This all looks amazing, but that cake is definitely calling my name!

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    3. Whoa! Everything looks AMAZING!

      Also, I love your little soup pot with the basket. Did they come together? Are they old? I need some of those. Love!

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      Replies
      1. Hi Julee, Thanks! I got the soup pot and basket from my mom. She had them for a long time. I saw the same type of dish at the thrift store but no basket! Good luck!

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      2. I've seen similar little pots, but not the baskets, either. Bummer. Now I have something (else!) to keep my eye out for when I thrift. :)

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    4. Ohhhhhh, looks very delicious :D

      http://shopaholichousewife.blogspot.de/

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    5. I am obsessed with pancakes ! Those look so delicious ! <3
      If you want we could follow each other on gfc, bloglovin and facebook ! Moreover...
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    6. I have a good strong sweet tooth and I shall be making that cake at some point in the next week. EVERYTHING looks so good! I bet your home smells warm and comforting with all of that good food cooking/ baking.

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      1. I am glad I am not the only one with a strong sweet tooth! I think, unfortunately, my home smells more like dirt and dog. Jolene is one smelly dog. And, when I cook/bake, I neglect the cleaning! Joann

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    7. mmmmmm...pancakes! Those look sooooo good-- definitely picking up the cookbook

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      1. I want those pancakes again. Especially since my apples are withering. You could see if your library has the cookbook. Cooking is so personal, isn't it? I like the simple recipes myself.

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    8. Oh this chocolate chip cake looks amazingly yummy - so glad to have found your blog! :)

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    9. Yummy looking eats! We love pancakes around here.

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    10. Hi lovely,
      I love trying new recipes too:)
      I just found your blog...it's so cute!!
      Would you like to follow each other ?
      I'm starting and I'm following:)
      I hope you like my blog too!
      Have a great day:)
      Xoxo
      Mary
      Fashion tea at 5

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    11. Yum! Everything looks so good at your house! You serve your family such terrific food! I have been making a ton of waffles lately just like you have been having pancakes! Have a lovely week! Angie xo

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    12. Mmmm...Angie...waffles. That sounds like a good idea!

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    13. The muffins and pancakes look delicious, but that chocolate chip date cookie looks particularly heavenly! I'm eager to make it myself. Thank you very much for the recipe, I'm sure I'll enjoy it! :D

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      Replies
      1. I hope you like it Hannah! Let me know how it goes. :)

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