Super moist Date-raisin Cake

This cake is idiot proof. It is super tatsy and moist. It has lots of warm spices in it which makes it perfect for the holiday season. It is great warm from the oven but even better the day after with coffee for breakfast. A lot of people serve this cake with sticky toffee sauce and whipped cream but I think it is best enjoyed on it's own.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins
  

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and place a small rectangle of parchment in the bottom of the pan.
  
• In a saucepan over medium heat, bring dates and water to a boil. Stir in 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar until melted. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Place date mixture into a large bowl. Blend in flour, spices, eggs and vanilla.
  
• Stir in chopped walnuts. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  
• Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• Drool
  

Oatmeal-Cherry cookies

I made these cookies for some friends to take on a flight to Scotland. What says I love you more than freshly baked cookies? Also long haul flights can be intolerable without home baked treats. These are a take on the traditional oatmeal raisin cookies. I like them better because the tartness of the dried cherries combined with chocolate is awesome. And the oats make you feel like they are a healthy treat :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup pecans or chocolate chips (Note: Chocolate makes everything better!!!!)

Method:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Cream butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
  
• Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; Do not over mix.
  
• Add oats and cherries; mix until combined.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment or silpat lined cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Enjoy chewy goodness!