Vanished into Plein Air

by Paula Darnell

1 teaspoon baking powder

  1 teaspoon baking soda

  Topping Ingredients

  1 cup pitted, chopped dates

  ¾ cup water

  ¼ cup sugar

  ¼ cup chopped walnuts

  Directions

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  Add boiling water to one cup chopped dates in a small bowl and set aside. Cream softened or melted butter together with egg and sugar. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Add date mixture and stir until well blended. Bake for 35 minutes in a buttered 9” x 9” baking pan. Remove from oven and test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, return the cake to the oven and bake a few minutes longer. Cool the cake in the pan before making the topping.

  Add chopped dates, water, and sugar to a small pan and bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Do not overcook. When the mixture has thickened, remove from heat and cool for five minutes. Spread the topping evenly on the cake and sprinkle with the chopped walnuts.

  Makes nine servings.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Award-winning author Paula Darnell is a former college instructor who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts degree in English with a Writing Emphasis from the University of Nevada, Reno. Vanished into Plein Air is the second book in her Fine Art Mystery series. She's also the author of the DIY Diva Mystery series and The Six-Week Solution, a historical mystery set in Nevada. She resides in Las Vegas with her husband Gary and their Pyrador Rocky.

  VISIT HER WEBSITE

  pauladarnellauthor.com

  Read all about how Amanda unravels a new mystery in Hemlock for the Holidays, Book 3 in A Fine Art Mystery Series.

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