Arabic Coffee & Date Cake

Since living in Riyadh my husband has fallen in love with Qahwah (Arabic coffee flavoured with a potent dose of cardamom - traditionally taken with dates). So we've been making the equivalent at home using Arabic coffee granules and my home-ground cardamom. Just before Ramadan began I was straining some Qahwah for hubby when I decided there must be something I could do with the aromatic leftovers...

The result was this cake - which is not only healthier than your average cake (little sugar, no butter, and oats in place of flour) - it tastes DELISH!

Arabic Coffee & Date Cake RECIPE

MAKES: approx 12 slices

PREP & COOKING TIME: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

OPTION 1: If you are wanting to drink Qahwah with your cake you will need to make 'Coffee Residue'
Boil 3 cups water, add 3 tbsp Arabic Coffee granules with 1 tbs of ground cardamom and simmer for 15 minutes. 
Strain the coffee into a pot or flask and set aside. Place the 'Coffee Residue' in a mixing bowl. Add the other ingredients as listed below.

OPTION 2: If you don't want to make the coffee drink
3 tbs Arabic Coffee
1 tbs ground cardamom

ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS
10 soft dates, pitted and chopped
25g brown sugar
100g natural yoghurt
3 eggs
3 tsp baking powder
100g ground porridge oats

DECORATION
6-8 dates halved
1 tsp sesame seeds

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375F  190C  Gas Mark 5

Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well until soft and gloopy.

Grease or line a loaf tin and pour mixture in. Level out.

Decorate top with halved dates and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake in oven for approximately 25-30 minutes.

Take out and place on cooling rack.

Enjoy with a cuppa!

Next time - why not experiment by adding chopped nuts and other fruits?