Honey Almond Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup strong coffee
• 1 3/4 cups honey
• 1/2 cup dates, chopped
• 3 tablespoons brandy
• 1/4 cup corn oil
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
• 4 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup almonds, sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon peel, grated
• 1/4 cup ground almonds

Honey Smear

• 6 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
• 5 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons hot water

Directions

1. 1

   Combine coffee and honey in saucepan; bring to boil. Set aside to cool.

2. 2

   Place dates in brandy and set aside.

3. 3

   Blend oil, brown sugar, and eggs thoroughly in a large bowl.

4. 4

   Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.

5. 5

   Add flour mixture and coffee mixture alternately to egg mixture.

6. 6

   Fold in sliced almonds, dates with brandy, and lemon peel.

7. 7

   Grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. Spread bottoms with Honey Smear.

8. 8

   Pour in batter. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 1 hour or until cake tests done.

9. 9

   Cool on rack to room temperature.

10. 10

    Honey Smear:.

11. 11

    Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl. Cream until light and well blended. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.