Sticky Date Slice

This is a delightful sweet cake with caramel topping, an absolutely all time favourite in Australia.  Sticky date slice is a suitable slice for any lunchbox or afternoon tea and is easy to make.

Ingredients for 15 slices

1 cup black tea (250g)

1 cup dates (250g)

¼ tsp baking soda

½ cup brown sugar (100 g)

60 g unsalted butter

1 egg (50 ml)

1¼ cup self raising flour (200 g)

1 tbls mixed spice

Method

Preheat oven to 160º C.

Place tea, sugar and dates in a cooking pot with lid, bring to the boil and simmer for 3 min. Blend in the soda and allow cooling for 10 min. Mix in butter and keep stirring until melted and blended. Blend in the egg and combine flour and spice. Place mixture in a 19 x 29 cm. baking tray lined with baking paper and even it out. Bake in the oven on 160º C for approx. 25 min.

When cake is cooled, turn it over onto a flat tray lined with baking paper and store overnight in the cool room. Decorate with caramel cheese cream icing, cut into 5 x 3 slices and store in containers in coolroom

Caramel cream cheese icing

Ingredients

50 g cream cheese room temp

50 g unsalted butter room temperature

1 cups of brown sugar (120 g)

Method

Cream butter and cheese with a food mixer, add sugar and mix until light and fluffy.

Put in flavouring and combine together. Spread icing mix on top cake and make a pattern with a fork.

Note: Use any kind of black tea or just plain water.