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–+ servings

Date Cake

developed & tested by:

Carissa Erzen
This delicious Middle Eastern-inspired date cake is studded with date pieces and crunchy walnuts. The cake is light, moist, and not overly sweet. It's perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert!
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 12 people
Calories 344 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups pitted dates
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (one stick)
  • 1½ teaspoon baking soda, divided
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅓ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 9-inch or 10-inch round baking pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a small bowl, pour boiling water over one cup of pitted dates and add one teaspoon of baking soda. Set aside and let the dates soak for 10 to 15 minutes until they've softened.
    Chop the remaining ½ cup dates and set aside.
  • Use a blender or food processor to blend the softened dates and the water they were soaked in to form a paste. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer or electric hand whisk to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until it is smooth and pale yellow, after about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again until it is smooth, after about 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and the remaining ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
  • Add the wet ingredients and the blended dates into the dry ingredients and mix just until you no longer see pockets of dry flour.
  • Fold in the chopped dates and chopped walnuts. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Enjoy!!

Notes

  • Make sure you remove all the pits from the dates. 
  • If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can also mash the dates by hand with a fork in a bowl.
  • You can substitute the walnuts with other nuts or omit them completely. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 227mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 515IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg
Keyword date cake, Middle Eastern cake
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