Add chopped dates to boiling water and boil 5 minutes. Sift
together in mixing bowl the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set
aside. In a second bowl, beat eggs well. Mix in the honey, oil, vanilla extract and
banana. Add dry mixture to the liquids and mix together. Add the dates and nuts (sunflower
seeds), mixing lightly. Pour batter into an oiled 9" x 9" baking pan and bake 30
minutes in 350 F. oven. Test for doneness.
Topping (optional): Heat together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/2 cup unsweetened
coconut. Spread on cake.
"Very good. I used raisins
instead of dates. It is my understanding that dates will absorb the water they are boiled
in (but raisins won't). I therefore drained the raisins before adding to the recipe."
Lynn Russell, tester