Rich Date And Coconut Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons butter
1 dash salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Topping
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons milk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes or until dates are tender.
Gently spoon flour into measuring cups and level (don't pack). Combine flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Stir in date mixture, granulated sugar, vanilla, and egg until well combined. Pour batter into a 9-inch spring-form pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350\u00b0 for 20 minutes.
While cake is baking, combine brown sugar and remaining ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute. Pour brown sugar mixture over cake. Let it glop into the batter. Cover the whole top of cake. Bake at 350\u00b0 for an additional 13 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. (I had to bake mine longer). Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack. Run a knife around outside edge and remove ring. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
This doubles just fine. I used a 10\" and a 5\" springform. I haven't tried freezing it, but am curious how that would work. Super-yummy! Both men and women raved over it. Very satisfying and rich.