Iced Date And Walnut Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7- to 8-inch diameter cake tin, 4 inches deep, with a loose base.

In a small bowl, pour boiling water over the dates. Add the soda, then the butter and stir until the butter has melted. Leave to cool.

Meanwhile, sift the flour with the baking powder, salt and spices.

Beat the egg in a large bowl, add the sugar and beat well again, then add the cooled date mixture and all the other cake ingredients. Stir well to mix everything thoroughly together.

Pour the mixture into the tin, and put it in the oven just below the center shelf. Cook for about 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the top is nicely browned and the center feels springy. Let the cake stand for a couple of minutes and then turn it out on to a wire rack to cool.

For Icing: Mix all the ingredients well together, then stand the cake on an upturned plate and cover the top of the cake with icing. Let it spread itself evenly over and dribble lavishly down the sides. Leave it to set for an hour or so.

A few walnut halves arranged round the top would finish it off beautifully.