Moist Date Cake - In the Microwave

This recipe from Tickling Palates has been modified to get some colour since it was made in the microwave.  If you want the rich colour you will have to bake it.  But this one still tasted lovely.

This recipe is amazing.  The first time I made it tasted good but was absolutely pale in colour and then Radhika of Tickling Palates advised me to use brown sugar which I think is a very good suggestion.  I did not have stock of it when I made this second attempt and therefore I caramalised the sugar and added some coffee brew to it to get a slightly brownish colour.

Maida - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Salt - pinch
Dates - pitted and cut finely - 1/2 cup
Water - 1 cup
Vegetable oil - 1/4 cup
Coffee brew - I used good kapi decoction - 2-3 tbsp
Cinnamon powder - 3/4 tsp

Grease a microwave bowl. I also used some greaseproof paper to line the sides and bottom

Pass the Maida and the baking powder through a sieve a couple of times.  Keep ready

Take a thick bottomed pan.  Add the sugar and on a low heat keep till the sugar dissolves and caramalises slightly.  Do not let it turn to a dark brown - it might become bitter.
Take off fire and add the water.  The sugar will form a sheet - but then it will eventually dissolve in the water.

Add the pinch of salt, pitted chopped dates, coffee brew, cinnamon and vegetable oil.
Bring to a boil and then allow the mixture to simmer for about 15-20 mins.
Take off fire.
Allow to cool thoroughly.
Gradually stir in the flour and see that there are no lumps.
It should be the right cake batter consistency but just in case it is thick add a little water to get it to the right.

Pour in the greased bowl and place in microwave
It should take about 4-5 minutes only on full 100%
Check by inserting a knife tip in the center.

PS - The coffee and date combination is quite good too.