Playtime: Date Cake

On our last morning in Idyllwild Thatboy didn't want to hit the road too early.  We had heard about the new playground that was built, so we decided to check it out.

We picked up some coffee and pastries from the nearby European bakery.  Thatdog offered to guard them while we played with Thatbaby.

Thatbaby is getting so brave with the slide lately.  At school, he'll go down them all by himself.  But here, with these new slides and new environment, he was more comfortable sliding down with Thatboy.

 I knew our little drummer would be pleased as punch with this set of tongue drums.  I was right.

And by the end of our time there, he had warmed up enough to head down one of the more familiar looking slides all by himself.

While at the playground we snacked on an eclair with our coffees.  But this date cake is much easier to make.  It's a nice addition to breakfast, and like our pastry, pairs well with coffee.  It's not too sweet, more like a quick bread than a cake.  I love the addition of dates to baked goods.  I much prefer them to raisins, although they provide the same kind of moist sweetness.

Date Cake

5 Tbsp butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

8 oz dates, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray an 8x8 pan with baking spray.  Combine all the ingredients in an electric mixer and beat for 3 minutes.
2. Pour into the pan and bake for 40 minutes, or until cooked through.