Recipe: Baker's Bakery Date Nut Cake - Copycat recipe from former poster

Fortunately, another blog posted the recipe they found on Doug's blog!

BAKER'S BAKERY DATE NUT CAKE (copycat)
(This is single layer cake, double for layered cake)

3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round or 8x8-inch square baking pan.

Warm the milk and dates in a pan or microwave until warm. Let sit for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

Cream the shortening in the mixer. Add sugars and continue to cream for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and one egg. Mix until combined. Scrape. Add the second egg. Mix until completely combined. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture. Mix on low until combined. Scrape the bowl. Add 1/2 of the milk mixture. Mix until combined. Continue until all the flour and milk is added. Mix in the walnuts making sure everything is combined. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

WHITE FROSTING
(double or triple the recipe recommended)

1/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup butter at room temp
5 oz powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3-4 Tbsp warm water

Cream shortening, butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla. (Use the whisk attachment. It fluffs up so much better). Add water, 1 Tbsp at a time, to the creamed mixture. Once all the water is added, whip on high for a few minutes until light and fluffy.