Banana Dates Walnut Cake ( Eggless )

Banana cakes are very delicious & healthy cake, how about making it even healthier by adding dates & walnuts.Dates are a rich source of dietary fiber which helps prevent absorption of LDL (bad cholesterol) from blood.Also, an essential source of vitamin A, Beta carotene.They also act as a bulk laxative.Walnuts are a rich source of energy and an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids.Regular use of walnuts helps decrease the bad cholesterol (LDL) and helps increase the good cholesterol(HDL) in blood.And bananas, as u all know, are a good source of potassium, manganese, Vit B6,folate and carbohydrate.This cake is similar to the one, I posted sometime back, Eggless Dates Cake.So, this is a filling cake that can be served for breakfast or as a snack.Do try this & Enjoy !!

Ingredients
all-purpose flour 2 cups
banana 2 mashed (very ripe)
dates 20-22 (pitted & chopped)
milk 1 cup
*walnuts 1/2 cup
sugar 3/4-1 cup
baking powder 1 tsp
baking soda 1 tsp
vegetable oil 1/4 cup
butter 1/4 cup (refer notes)
salt a pinch

Method
-Pre heat oven to 200 degrees F and toast the walnuts in the tray for 10-12 minutes so that the skins are removed easily.Chop small and keep aside.
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 12*8" pan with parchment paper at the bottom, coat the sides with butter.
-Sift the flour and add baking soda, baking powder and salt.Combine well, keep aside.
-Mash the peeled bananas with a fork or in a blender.Keep aside.
-Cream the butter and sugar until smooth and combined.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add in the chopped dates with milk and heat on high for 2-3 minutes until dates are softened, or leave soaked overnight.
-Cool it down completely.Blend this mix in a blender till it forms a smooth paste.
-Add the paste, mashed bananas to the creamed butter sugar mix.Add in the flour slowly and finish with the oil.Make a batter without lumps.Add in the toasted walnuts, vanilla extract and stir.
-Pour in the desired baking tray and place it in the oven. Bake for 30-35 mins, or till the tooth pick inserted comes out clean.Cool on wire rack and cut in pieces.Mine was done at 33 minutes.
-Serve with tea or milk !!

Servings~ 12*8 cake

NOTES
* You can use oil alone by replacing the amount of butter with oil.
* You can use any chopped nuts in place of walnuts.
* I have used 3/4th cup of sugar, yields a moderately sweet cake.Increase up to 1 cup if you desire more sweet.

Sending this to Healthy Recipe substitution event by Anu @ Anu's healthy Kitchen