Ginger, Walnut, Date cake... with a twist...

Hubby is learning to bake.  

He's an amazing cook but baking is his next Everest.

Over the weekend he treated me to a Walnut, Ginger and Date cake that was so delicious I asked him if I was allowed to share the recipe with blogland. You see even though he used (and improved) a basic Date Loaf recipe from bestrecipes.com he added a little magic.....

Lemon Thyme ... in the icing!

And oh boy does it work. 

Melted couverture/ quality organic white chocolate and fresh lemon thyme buds.

Crushed and sprinkled on top before the chocolate hardens.

Genius.

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it....

Ingredients

1 cup chopped dates

1/4 Cup chopped 'Naked' Buderim Ginger - (Glace Ginger will work, though)

1/4 Cup Chopped walnuts - Chunky is great!
1- 1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda 1 cup boiling water

1 x tsp cinnamon

1 x tsp ground ginger
2 tablespoons soft butter
3⁄4 cup sugar (I like to use brown sugar)
1 beaten egg
1 cup self-raising flour
1⁄2 cup plain flour

Method 

1. Grease a loaf tin. or use baking paper
2. Place dates, cinnamon, ground Ginger, Naked Ginger, walnuts, soda and hot water in a bowl and stir - allow to thicken and cool  slightly.
3. In another bowl,mix butter & sugar,  add egg and mix until creamy.
4. Add date mix to butter mix, then add flours and mix well.
5.  Bake at 180°C for about 45 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.
6. Melt some good quality white chocolate to spread in a thin layer on top
7. Sprinkle with fresh thyme buds before chocolate hardens