Date-Ginger Cake

Ingredients

• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2  cup sugar
• 1/4  cup cooking oil
• 1  teaspoon grated fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4  cup refrigerated egg product or 1 egg
• 1/2  cup orange or lemon lowfat yogurt
• 2  tablespoons fat-free milk
• 3/4  cup pitted whole dates, snipped
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
•   Orange Sauce (below)
•   Crystallized ginger, cut into strips or finely chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8x8x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup flour, the baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, oil and ginger. Add yogurt, egg product and milk; stir until well combined. Stir in yogurt and milk. Add flour mixture to yogurt mixture, stirring just until combined.

3. In a small bowl, toss dates with 2 tablespoons flour; fold into batter. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly (about 30 minutes) in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Serve warm with warm Orange Sauce. If desired, garnish individual servings with crystallized ginger. Makes 9 servings.

5. Orange Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel. Stir in 3/4 cup orange juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Serve warm. Makes about 3/4 cup.