Lumberjack cake

This cake comes with a distinct topping which makes it interesting and unquestionably delicious.

• 2 large apples(400g), peeled, cored, chopped finely
• 1 cup finely chopped seeded dried dates
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 125g butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups plain flour

TOPPING

• 60g butter
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2/3 cup shredded coconut

1. Preheat oven to moderate. Grease 23cm square pan, line with baking paper.
2. Combine apple, dates and soda in large bowl, add the water, cover bowl with plastic wrap, stand 10 minutes
3. Meanwhile, beat butter, essence, sugar and egg in small bowl until light and fluffy
4. Add creamed butter mixture to apple mixture, using wooden spoon stir in flour well. Pour mixture into prepared pan. 
5. Bake cake in moderate oven 50 minutes.
6. Remove cake carefully from oven to bench. close oven door to maintain the temperature. Using metal spatula, carefully spread warm topping evenly over cake, return cake to oven, bake about 20  minutes or until topping has browned.
7. Stand cake 5 minutes, then cool on wire rack.

Topping

Combine ingredients in saucepan, using wooden spoon stir topping mixture over low heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves.

Serves 12

Source: Australian Women's Weekly