BANANA DATE CAKE

1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg plus 1egg white
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 (10-ounce) package Sunsweet Dates, chopped
1 cup chopped Diamond Walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting (optional, recipe follows)

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 13 x 9 inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray.

In bowl, combine oil, egg, egg white and brown sugars. Stir in banana, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add to banana mixture, stirring until mixed. Gently stir in dates and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until top springs back when touched. Cool.

Frost cooled cake with Cream Cheese Frosting or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

In mixing bowl, beat until smooth:
1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Makes 12 servings
Source: Recipe booklet: Winn-Dixie Holiday Essentials Recipe Book, 1996