Apple, Rum, Raisin and Date Traybake with Rum Syrup

Ingredients

• SOAK THE FRUIT
• In a bowl, combine raisins and chopped dates with dark rum and water
• Cover and let soak at room temperature overnight or at least 8 hours. The fruit
• MAKE THE HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
• In a medium saucepan, combine chopped apples, water, and lemon juice
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples break down completely
• Mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Add sugar if desired
• Let cool completely
• MAKE THE TRAYBAKE
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment pap
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nu
• In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and
• Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition
• Stir in the cooled applesauce and vanilla extract until well combined
• Drain the rum-soaked fruit, reserving the soaking liquid for the syrup. Pat frui
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Don'
• Fold in the rum-soaked raisins and dates, distributing evenly throughout the bat
• BAKE
• Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly
• Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
• The cake should be deeply golden and fragrant with spices and rum
• MAKE THE RUM SYRUP
• While cake bakes, combine reserved rum soaking liquid, sugar, additional dark ru
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thic
• Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted
• FINISH THE CAKE
• As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the surface with
• Pour the warm rum syrup evenly over the hot cake, allowing it to soak in complet
• Let cake cool completely in the pan. The syrup will continue to penetrate, creat
• SERVE
• Cut into squares. The cake improves over 2-3 days as flavors meld and deepen