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Date Cake Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

This delightful Date Cake is a moist, tender, and fluffy dessert loaded with naturally sweet Medjool dates. The cake is easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and can be enjoyed plain or paired with a luscious homemade toffee sauce and ice cream for extra indulgence. Perfect for a comforting treat or special occasion, this sticky date cake is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with both its rich texture and deep flavors.

Ingredients

Date Cake

  • 2 cups (9 oz.) pitted Medjool dates (about 15 – 16 dates)
  • 1¼ cup (300 ml) boiling milk or water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ cups (180 g) all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Toffee Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter
  • ⅔ cup (160 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform or an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Soak Dates: Place pitted, chopped dates into a medium bowl and sprinkle with baking soda. Pour boiling milk or water over the dates. Cover with a tea towel and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes until softened.
  3. Make Date Paste: Transfer the soaked dates and liquid to a stand mixer with paddle attachment and mix until a loose paste forms. For a smoother paste, blend in a food processor or blender, then return to the bowl and set aside. Clean the mixer bowl to remove residue.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon (if using), and salt until evenly mixed. Set aside.
  5. Cream Butter and Sugar: In the cleaned mixer bowl, cream unsalted butter and light brown sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  6. Add Date Paste and Eggs: On low speed, blend in the date paste, then add eggs one at a time followed by vanilla extract. Once combined, increase mixer speed to medium and mix for an additional minute, scraping down sides as needed.
  7. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined without overmixing.
  8. Bake Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The cake crust should be golden brown and spring back when gently pressed.
  9. Cool Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes to set before adding the toffee sauce.
  10. Prepare Toffee Sauce: In a saucepan, combine butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla extract. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
  11. Soak Cake with Sauce: While the cake is still warm, poke holes in the top using a toothpick or fork. Pour about half of the warm toffee sauce over the cake, using a spoon or pastry brush to help it soak in. Allow the cake to cool for another 20 to 30 minutes to absorb the sauce fully.
  12. Serve: Carefully release the cake from the pan or lift it out with the parchment paper. Transfer to a serving plate, top with additional toffee sauce if desired, and serve warm with ice cream for the best experience.

Notes

  • Storage: Store the sticky date cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. If topped with toffee sauce or after 2 days, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Serving Suggestion: The cake is best enjoyed warm with warm toffee sauce and cold ice cream for a delightful contrast.
  • Alternative Pan Sizes: You can bake the batter in an 8-inch cake pan or an 8 x 8-inch square pan for 35-40 minutes, or in a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan for about 45 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few sticky crumbs.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/date-cake-recipe/