lumberjack cake

2 large granny smith apples; peeled & chopped finely
1 cup finely chopped seeded dates
1 tsp. bicarb soda
1 cup boiling water
125g butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup castor sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups plain flour

TOPPING
60 g butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup shredded coconut

Preheat oven to moderate. Grease 23cm square cake pan & line base with baking paper
Combine apple, dates, soda & water in a bowl; cover & stand for 10 mins
Beat butter, essence, sugar & egg in a small bowl with electric mixer til light and fluffy. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, stir in flour and apple mix. pour into prepared pan.
Bake in moderate oven 50mins; spread with topping, bake for further 20 mins. Stnad cake 5 mins; turn onto wire rack to cool.

TOPPING
combine ingredients in small saucepan, stir over low heat until butter is melted and ingredients combined.