Date Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package dried pitted dates, diced
• 2 teaspoons baking soda, divided
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee
• 2 teaspoons milk powder
• 2 tablespoons boiling water
• 1.75 cups white sugar
• 1 cup margarine
• 1.5 tablespoons margarine
• 4 large eggs

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Place dates in a bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon baking soda on top and mix well. Add 1/3 cup boiling water, stir, and set aside until dates have swelled, about 10 minutes. Squeeze with your hands to remove most of the liquid.
3. Meanwhile, mix flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda together in a bowl. Combine instant coffee, milk powder, and 2 tablespoons boiling water in a separate bowl; mix until dissolved.
4. Beat sugar, margarine, and eggs together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well blended. Add coffee mixture and dates; beat until well mixed. Gradually mix in flour. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.