Ingredients

• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (optional)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups dark beer
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root