Date cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.

Combine water and raisins in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, then add the chopped dates and baking soda. Postpone

Beat the white sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla. Add flour, salt and date mixture; mix until combined. Pour the dough into the prepared form.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven.

Set the oven to bake. Meanwhile, prepare the filling: melt the butter in a small saucepan; stir in brown sugar, walnuts, and cream until combined. Spread the mixture on the warm cake.

Place the pie under the preheated broiler and cook until the top is lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Rotate the cake as needed for even browning; watch carefully as the top can burn quickly under the broiler.