The Queen Mother’s Cake

Pour 1 breakfast cup of boiling water over 8oz chopped dates. Add 1 teaspoon bicarb soda. Let stand for the time it takes to mix the following:

8 oz sugar
3 oz butter
1 beaten egg
2 oz chopped walnuts
10 oz plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add all above to date mixture and bake for 35 minutes in a moderate oven in a 9″ x 12″ pan.

Topping:
5 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons of cream
Mix these ingredients together and boil for 3 minutes. Spread on cake and sprinke with chopped nuts. (Be careful not to boil this mixture longer or it will turn to toffee! It should have the consistency of fudge.)

This is the queen mother’s favourite cake recipe. At her request it must not be given, but sold for a gold coin and the money donated to a charitable organization.