Apple & Date Cake

2 green apples, peeled and cubed
1 C chopped dates
1 t bi-carb soda
1 C of boiling water
125g butter
½ C brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla essence
1 ½ cups sifted flour
60 g butter
½ C brown sugar
½ C shredded coconut

Preheat oven 180°C. Place apples, dates and soda in a bowl, pour over boiling water, stand until cool. Beat butter and sugar, blend in egg and vanilla, fold in flour and apple/date mix. Spread in greased and lined 23cm springform tin. Bake 45 mins. Combine remaining butter, sugar, coconut in saucepan, heat while stirring until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Spread cake evenly with topping. Bake for further 15 minutes. Cool in tin.