Queen Elizabeth Cake

To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her passing I decided to finally make a Queen Elizabeth Cake. It has been on my radar for several years but somehow I never baked one. Today seemed a fitting time.

On researching the Queen Elizabeth cake I found a few differing stories of it's origin. One is that it was first made in 1937 to recognize the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Another suggests it was invented in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. And while it has been made in both the U.K. and U.S.A. it has been most popular in Canada since the 1950s which would lead one to believe it's association with Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Whatever story is correct there's one thing for sure, this cake is tender and delicately sweet like I imagine the Queen was 👸

This is the picture of the Queen that hung in my elementary school classrooms, (many years ago).

Ingredients:

1 cup packed, chopped dates

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup boiling water 

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder 

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Topping:

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

3 tbsps 10% cream

Start by chopping the dates. Personally I prefer to snip them with scissors. Toss them with the baking soda and add the boiling water. Let sit until cooled.

Take the walnuts and toss them in a frying pan to toast 2-3 minutes or until slightly fragrant. Set aside.

Once you are ready to bake beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Then add the egg and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt together. Take 1 tbsp of this and toss with the walnuts. Now mix 1/3 of the dry mix and 1/3 of the dates (including the liquid) into the butter mix. Continue adding thirds until fully combined then add the walnuts.

Pour into an oiled 9" square pan and bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes.

In a small saucepan combine the brown sugar, butter and 10% cream for the topping. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute then remove from heat and stir in the coconut. Pour the topping over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. It can be left like this to cool or you can place it 6" under the broiler for 2 minutes then cool completely on a rack before cutting.

Queen Elizabeth... may she rest in peace. Long live the King.

Makes 16 squares

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