Description
Sweet date and walnut cake brings Middle Eastern comfort to your dessert table, blending rich flavors with nostalgic warmth. Rich nutty notes and caramel-like dates create a memorable slice that connects home bakers with traditional Mediterranean baking traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 225 grams (8 ounces) self-raising flour
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
Fruits and Nuts:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) soft dates, pitted and chopped
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) walnuts, chopped
Sweeteners and Liquids:
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) unsalted butter, diced and softened
- 75 grams (2.6 ounces) caster sugar
- 55 grams (1.9 ounces) dark muscovado sugar
- 1 tablespoon demerara sugar
- 150 milliliters (5 fluid ounces) boiling water
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 180°C (160°C fan) and prepare a 2lb loaf tin with grease and parchment paper.
- Create a moisture-rich base by blending butter, dates, hot water, and coffee. Allow the mixture to infuse for half an hour, developing deep flavors.
- Incorporate both sugars into the softened date mixture, then thoroughly integrate eggs until smooth and well-combined.
- Gently fold sifted flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet ingredients, maintaining a light texture and avoiding overmixing.
- Distribute the majority of chopped walnuts throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf tin, artfully scattering remaining walnuts and sprinkling demerara sugar across the surface for a caramelized finish.
- Initial baking phase requires 30 minutes at 180°C, then reduce temperature to 170°C (150°C fan) and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes until a skewer emerges clean.
- Allow cake to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack, permitting complete cooling to enhance structural integrity and flavor development.
Notes
- Soften dates in hot water and coffee to enhance their natural sweetness and create a more tender cake texture.
- Toast walnuts briefly before adding to the batter to intensify their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with almond or coconut flour, ensuring a lighter, more delicate crumb.
- Drizzle with a light coffee glaze or cream cheese frosting to elevate the cake’s richness and add an extra layer of indulgence.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 281 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg