Mystery Cake for Afternoon Tea on Trinity Sunday

This recipe is taken from my recipe book ' 150 Delicious Squares'.  I thought it was quite appropriate for afternoon tea on Trinity Sunday.. It has 3 layers, but yet is one cake.

MYSTERY CAKE. (known as Mum's Trinity Sunday Cake)

INGREDIENTS

BOTTOM LAYER:

2 cups of Plain (all purpose) flour

I cup (250 mls) of softened butter ( or margarine)

1/2 cup (125mls) of granulated sugar.

SECOND LAYER

2 Large eggs

1 and 1/2 cups of shredded coconut (unsweetened)- 375mls

1 cup (250mls) of chopped pitted dates

I cup (250 mls) walnuts.

1/2 cup (125mls) of brown sugar

2 tablespoons of plain flour (30 mls)

1/2 teaspoon (2mls) baking powder.

THIRD LAYER-ICING

1 and 1/2 cups of icing sugar (375 mls)

90 mls of softened butter (or margarine)

25 mls of milk ( 1 and 1/2 tablespoons)

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (vanilla essence)

METHOD

BOTTOM LAYER: GOD THE FATHER

Mix all three ingredients in medium bowl until crumbly.  Press firmly into ungreased 22x22cm ( 9x9 inch) pan.

SECOND LAYER: GOD THE SON

Beat eggs with spoon in large bowl.  Add 6 remaining ingredients.  Stir well.  Spread evenly over bottom layer.  Bake in 195 degrees Celsius (350 F) oven for about 30 minutes until golden brown. Let stand in pan on wire rack until cool.

ICING LAYER; GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Beat all 4 ingredients in medium bowl until smooth, adding more milk or icing sugar as necessary until spreading consistency.  Spread evenly over second layer.  Cut into 36 squares.

I square = 743 kilojoules or  173 calories.

Whether you enjoy this cake for afternoon tea or not, the teaching of the Trinity is definitely a mystery, something we can look forward to understanding further when we reach our destination of Heaven.