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–+ servings
Four statues of Queen Elizabeth, waving.

Queen Elizabeth Cake

Audrey King
Enriched by dates, topped with its trademark broiled butterscotch-coconut icing, Queen Elizabeth Cake was a snacking mainstay in Canada during the ‘50s and ‘60s.
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Bake time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Servings 1 8x12 inch cake

Ingredients
  

Cake batter

  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ cup shortening or butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 1½ cups cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Icing

  • 5 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cream
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup shredded coconut

Instructions
 

Cake batter

  • Add baking soda to dates. Pour boiling water over them and let cool.
  • Cream butter or shortening, add sugar, and cream well.
  • Mix egg, salt, and vanilla, and add to butter-sugar mixture.
  • Mix flour and baking powder and add alternately with date mixture. Stir in walnuts.
  • Bake in 8x12 inch pan at 350° for 35-40 minutes.

Icing

  • Boil together for three minutes, pour on hot cake and brown in oven.

Notes

Some recipes recommend using broiler to brown icing.
Keyword cake, coconut, dates, dessert, Queen Elizabeth cake
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