Date-Orange Coffee Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking oil or butter.

Combine the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, whisking together until evenly distributed.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup cooking oil, and 2/3 cup orange juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix; the batter should have a few small lumps.

Fold the 1/2 cup snipped dates and 3 tsp grated orange peel into the batter with a spatula until evenly distributed.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.

In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 3 Tbs. soft butter with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle the brown sugar-butter mixture evenly over the top of the batter in the pan to create the streusel topping.

Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving.