Queen Elizabeth Cake

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield 16 slices
Test Kitchen Approved
Queen Elizabeth cake is a Canadian dessert worth making at home. It's rich with dates and topped with a broiled coconut topping.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups (8 ounces) pitted dates
  • 1-1/4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional
  • TOPPING:
  • 1-1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9-in. square baking dish.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine dates and water; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; cook 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda until mixture is foamy. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, allspice, nutmeg and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar over medium speed until fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add egg; beat until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and walnuts, if desired; stir until incorporated. Mix half of the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture; stir gently until almost combined. Add half of the date mixture; stir. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and remaining date mixture. Stir until just combined. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
  5. Bake 25 minutes. Rotate; bake an additional 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. While the cake is baking, in a small saucepan, combine coconut, brown sugar, salt, butter and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer over low heat; cook 2 minutes. Set aside.
  7. Remove cake from the oven. Set oven to broil. Spread the coconut topping over the entire cake in a thin layer.
  8. Place cake under broiler 3-in. from the heating element with the oven door slightly open and the light on. Broil until topping is lightly golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 333 calories, 16g fat (11g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.

Queen Elizabeth cake is a Canadian favorite with unknown origins, although there are many stories about its relationship to British royalty. Regardless of when it originated, the date cake with broiled coconut frosting is deliciously timeless. —Suzanne Podhaizer, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Recipe Creator

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