Date Cake
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
24
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Course
Cake
Date Cake
Description
This Date Cake recipe begins by soaking chopped pitted dates in boiling water with baking soda to soften them and develop moisture. Once cooled, these dates are folded into a creamed mixture of vegetable shortening and granulated sugar, along with eggs and vanilla extract. Dry ingredients including all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt are blended in, and the batter is folded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts or pecans for richness and texture.
The cake bakes into a moist and tender loaf with bursts of sweet, caramel-like date flavor complemented by the chocolate and nuts. The optional sprinkle of coarse sparkling sugar on top adds a subtle crunch and sparkle. The texture balances softness with slight chewiness provided by the nuts and chocolate.
This cake works well as a dessert or snack. It stores tightly covered at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness. Variations include using unsalted butter instead of shortening or omitting chocolate chips for a simpler version. Chopping your own pitted dates works if pre-chopped are not available, with about eight ounces needed.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dates chopped, pitted
- 1 ½ cups water boiling
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ cup vegetable shortening I use butter-flavored Crisco
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg lightly beaten, large
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract pure
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
- ⅓ cup walnuts chopped, or pecans
- ¼ cup Sparkling Sugar optional, coarse
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place dates into a medium, heat-resistant bowl and pour boiling water over the dates. Stir in baking soda. The mixture may foam up a bit, this is completely normal. Set bowl aside to cool for 15-20 minutes.
- Once dates have cooled, use an electric mixer to cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in eggs and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated. Stir in the dates and liquid.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread the batter evenly. If desired, sprinkle the top of the batter with coarse sugar.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
Notes
- Store leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to three days to preserve moisture.
- Unsalted butter can replace shortening if preferred without altering the recipe significantly.
- Chocolate chips are optional; omitting them yields a more straightforward date cake.
- If pre-chopped pitted dates are unavailable, chop whole pitted dates to obtain 8 ounces needed for the recipe.
- Accurately measure flour for best results to ensure proper texture.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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