Cardamom Date Cake

• cooking spray
• flour↗2 cups
• baking powder↗1 teaspoon
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground cardamom↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground cinnamon↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• butter↗5 tablespoons

  softened

• packed brown sugar1 cup

  packed

• applesauce↗1 cup
• vanilla extract↗1 teaspoon
• large eggs↗3
• chopped pitted dates3⁄4 cup
• topping
• sliced almonds↗1⁄3 cup
• tablespoons flour↗3
• tablespoons brown sugar↗3
• tablespoons butter, melted↗2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   preheat oven to 350.

2. 2

   spray a 9x9" pan with cooking spray.

3. 3

   combine flour and the next 5 ingredientsin a large bowl, make a well in center.

4. 4

   in a medium bowl combine melted butter and the next 5 ingredients, mixing well.

5. 5

   add to the flour mixture, stirring until moist.

6. 6

   spoon batter into pan.

7. 7

   mix the topping ingredients, sprinkle evenly over batter.

8. 8

   bake for 35 minutes until pick inserted in center comes out clean.

9. 9

   cool in pan.