Luscious Date Cake Recipe: Savor Every Sweet Bite

Indulging in a soft, moist date cake brings pure comfort to your dessert dreams.

Sweet Middle Eastern traditions inspire this delectable treat with rich, caramel-like flavors.

Dates offer natural sweetness that transforms ordinary baking into something extraordinary.

Carefully selected ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each tender crumb.

Sophisticated yet simple, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels to experience culinary magic.

You’ll find yourself falling in love with every single bite of this irresistible dessert.

Perfect Pairings With Nigella Date Cake

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Rich, smooth vanilla ice cream complements the dense, sweet texture of the date cake, creating a luxurious dessert experience with contrasting temperatures.
• Sip Caramel Macchiato: The deep coffee notes and sweet caramel undertones in this drink beautifully enhance the nutty, chocolatey elements of the cake, providing a sophisticated flavor harmony.
• Match with Cinnamon Chai Tea: Warm, spicy chai tea brings out the deep, complex sweetness of dates and adds a comforting layer of aromatic spices that dance perfectly with the cake's rich profile.
• Serve with Butterscotch Liqueur: A small glass of smooth butterscotch liqueur intensifies the cake's caramel-like sweetness, offering an indulgent adult twist to the dessert.

How To Keep Nigella Date Cake Soft And Fresh

• Store cooled cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Ensure complete sealing to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best texture, use low power setting to prevent edges from becoming tough.
• Remove from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, microwave on defrost setting for 1-2 minutes until softened.

FAQs For Nigella Date Cake

• Why do I need to soak dates in boiling water?

Soaking dates in boiling water softens them and helps them blend more easily into the cake batter, creating a smoother texture and more intense flavor.

• Can I use a different type of fat instead of shortening?

Yes, you can substitute shortening with butter or vegetable oil, which will slightly change the cake’s texture and taste but still produce a delicious result.

• Is it necessary to add nuts and chocolate chips?

No, these are optional ingredients. You can omit them or replace them with other mix-ins like dried fruit or different types of nuts according to your preference.

• How can I tell if the date cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready to be removed from the oven.

Why Nigella Date Cake Is Sweet And Comforting

• Boost Family Bonding: Create delightful memories with this simple date cake that brings everyone together around the table for a sweet shared experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Packed with irresistible chocolate chips and crunchy nuts, this cake guarantees smiles and second helpings from kids and adults alike.
• Quick Baking Adventure: Blend ingredients in minutes, then pop into the oven for a stress-free baking process that delivers maximum deliciousness with minimal effort.
• Versatile Treat: Perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, afternoon tea, or a comforting weekend dessert that suits any mood and occasion.

What Ingredients Are In Nigella Date Cake

• Dates: Sweet, sticky fruits that provide natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Shortening: A solid fat that helps create a tender and soft cake texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps in browning the cake.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake.

• Flour: The base ingredient that gives structure to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cake rise and enhance overall flavor.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, rich flavor to the cake.
• Nuts, Chocolate Chips: Provide extra texture and flavor to the cake.
• Boiling Water: Softens the dates and helps create a moist cake.
• Coarse Sugar: Optional topping for added crunch and sweetness.

Steps To Make Nigella Date Cake Easily

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Pan

Get your oven warming up to 350°F. Grab a 9-by-13-inch pan and give it a light spray with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Soften Dates with Boiling Water

Grab a heat-safe bowl and pour boiling water over the dates. Sprinkle in baking soda, which will cause a slight bubbling reaction. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to cool down and soften.

Step 3: Cream Shortening and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, whip the shortening and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and frothy. This creates a smooth, airy base for your cake.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Crack in the eggs and pour vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Blend thoroughly until well combined. Gently fold in the softened date mixture, creating a rich, moist batter.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution.

Step 6: Create Cake Batter

• Chopped nuts
• Chocolate chips

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and slightly pulling away from the pan’s edges.

Tips To Bake Nigella Date Cake Perfectly

• Boost Date Cake Flavor: Toast chopped nuts before adding to enhance their nutty, rich taste and provide extra crunch.
• Moisture Matters: Let dates soak in boiling water longer than 20 minutes to create an incredibly soft, tender cake texture.
• Prevent Sinking Chocolate: Toss chocolate chips in a bit of flour before mixing to prevent them from dropping to the bottom during baking.
• Check Doneness Trick: Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked and won't dry out.
• Store Smartly: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Fun Takes On Nigella Date Cake

• Gluten-Free Date Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• Vegan Date Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of shortening, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Date Cake: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and reduce chocolate chips to minimize overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly option.
• Nutless Date Cake: Omit nuts completely or replace with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for individuals with nut allergies while maintaining cake's texture and flavor profile.

Date Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 65-70 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Irresistible Date Cake brings Middle Eastern warmth to dessert tables with sweet, caramelized fruit and tender crumb. Rich spices and moist texture invite you to savor each delectable bite of this comforting classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package of chopped, pitted dates
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (170 grams) vegetable shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Dry and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/4 cup coarse sparkling sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-by-13-inch baking pan by coating with nonstick spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Pour boiling water over dates in a heat-safe bowl, then stir in baking soda. Allow the mixture to rest and cool for approximately 20 minutes, observing potential slight bubbling.
3. Cream shortening and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, then gently fold in the softened date mixture until well combined.
5. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
6. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Gently fold in chopped nuts and chocolate chips.
7. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Optionally, sprinkle coarse sugar across the top for added texture and sweetness.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.

Notes

• Ensure dates are pitted and chopped finely for smooth texture and even distribution throughout the cake.
• Use room temperature eggs to help them blend more evenly and create a lighter cake crumb.
• Experiment with different nuts like pecans or walnuts for varied flavor and texture profiles.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better binding.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 348 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg