Sticky Date Cake with Caramel Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. To a heat-proof bowl, add dates and raisins and cover with 1 cup boiling water. Set aside for 5 minutes. Mist a 9½-inch Bundt pan generously with cooking spray. (You can also use an 8-inch round baking pan misted with cooking spray and a circle of parchment to line the bottom.)

2. In a food processor, process eggs, ½ cup sugar, oil and vanilla until doubled in volume, about 1 minute. Add yogurt and date mixture (including water) and pulse 1 to 2 times to combine.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, salt and nutmeg. Add mixture from food processor and stir with a wooden spoon until incorporated, 30 seconds. Stir in apple. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and sides of cake are starting to pull away from edges of pan. Cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then place a serving platter over pan, and with gloved hands, flip platter and pan over to release cake onto platter. Cool completely on platter.

4. Prepare sauce: In a small saucepan, combine remaining ¼ cup sugar and 3 tbsp water. Bring to a boil on medium-high; let boil 1 minute without stirring. Reduce heat to medium-low and add cream. Return to boil and then simmer until sauce thickly coats the back of a spoon, 1½ to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Pour sauce over cooled cake.