Ingredients

• 500g peeled and coarsely grated apple (about 3 apples)
• 1 cup finely chopped dates
• 1 1/2 cups plain flour (or 1/2 self raising flour and 1 cup of plain flour)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 125g butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 egg

Topping

• 60g butter
• 1/2 brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded coconut

Method

1. Combine apple, dates baking soda and 1 cup boiling water in a bowl; stand 5 min.
2. Beat butter, vanilla, caster sugar and 1 egg together until light and fluffy.
3. Stir in apple mixture and flour. Pour into greased and lined 23cm square pan. Bake in preheated moderate oven 40 min.
4. Topping: Combine butter, brown sugar, milk and shredded coconut and heat gently until sugar dissolves and butter melts.
5. After the cake has had 40min in oven, pour warm coconut mixture over, spread thinly to cover.
6. Continue baking cake 25min or until browned and crisp.
7. Cool 5min before turning out.

Note: Can also be made without the topping.

From www.katemcghie.com.au (now offline) and Lumberjack Cake recipe | Australia’s Best Recipes.