Are you tired of the same old dessert options and craving something nostalgic and delicious? Look no further than my old fashioned date cake recipe. With its moist and tender texture, rich caramel flavor, and a hint of warm spices, this cake will surely transport you back to grandma’s kitchen.
In this recipe, you will learn the simple steps of making this classic dessert to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. So grab your apron and get ready to bake up a taste of nostalgia with this delightful date cake recipe.
What Makes Old Fashioned Date Cake So Special?
Date cake, also known as date nut bread, is a unique cake made of boiled and pasted dates using very little sugar and cocoa cake batter. And it is a classic dessert that has been cherished for generations.
Date cake has a natural and rich flavour that provides a unique taste to the recipe. The typical baking style and preparation method will surely make you nostalgic. It’s quite famous as a family dish. Also, making old-fashioned date cakes is easier. This delicious cake is very energetic, especially when you are at work and need a short meal to get your energy back.
It is healthy and requires less sugar, as the date itself contains a rich amount of sugar that is not harmful like the sugar we buy from stores. So, you can make old-fashioned date cake without using any extra sugar. Even my grandma used to prepare this date cake only with date juice and boiled dates. It is extremely different from our regular vanilla wedding cake or chocolate cake.
It has a different taste that you cannot compare to any other cake. Adding chocolate caramel or melting peanut butter gives the date cake an additional aroma. So this is the recipe we can use to make a fusion of modern and old-fashioned cuisine. Hence, old-fashioned date cake is a special dish to enjoy with your special people.
Ingredients
- 250 gm or 2 Cups Finely Chopped Pitted Dates
- 3 Cups Cake Flour or Bread Flour
- 1 Cup Boiled Water
- 1 Cup Raisins
- 2 Large Eggs, Beaten
- 1 ½ Cups Brown Sugar or Castor Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- 1 Cup Unsalted Softened Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
- 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
- ¾ Cup Finely Chopped Walnuts
- ½ Tablespoon Lime Zest or Orange Zest
- 1 Cup Peanut Butter/Strawberry or Apricot Jam
Instructions
Step 1: Boil dates with water and sugar
Finely chopped fresh and washed 2 cups of dates. Dissolve 1/2 cup of brown sugar or castor sugar and 1 cup of raisins in 3 cups of water. Now turn the stove on and boil the water with sugar and raisin. When the water starts bubbling, put all the chopped dates into the water.
Boil the chopped dates until half of the water vanishes. Set aside the boiled dates and chill them for half an hour.
Step 2: Mix dates with baking soda and water
Now boil 1 cup of drinking water. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of baking powder with the water. Stir until fully dissolved.
Pour this mix into the boiled dates. Mix properly to make the mix reach all over the dates. This baking soda mixture will make the boiled dates fully soft and pasted.
Step 3: Make a Cream of Butter and Sugar
Take 1 cup of unsalted softened butter and ½ cup of castor sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Beat the mixture using a stand mixer. You need to beat the mixture thoroughly until it turns into a fluffy, lightweight, creamy mixture.
Store the cream for later use. We will use it for the cake batter and toppings.
Step 4: Prepare Date Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, beat 2 eggs completely. Place the beaten egg in another small bowl. Then place 2 cups of sweet buttercream into the large mixing bowl. Set the bowl under a stand mixer. Gradually pour in the beaten egg while continuing to mix with the stand mixer.
Mix it until the cream is totally mixed with the eggs. Then add the cake flour gradually in the same way. Now add the prepared date mixture and 1 teaspoon of orange zest and vanilla extract. Combine again in the same way, and add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to it. Finally, add ¾ cup of chopped walnuts. Continuously beat the mixture. When there are no crumbs left, stop combining the cake batter and start the next step.
Step 5: Bake Old Fashioned Date Cake
Grease a 5-inch baking pan with butter or place parchment paper on the baking pan. Carefully place the date cake batter on the baking pan. Using a spatula, flatten the top of the batter. Place some chopped walnuts on top of the cake batter.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Now place the baking pan filled with cake batter into the oven. Set the timer to 15 minutes and start baking. After 15 minutes, check if it is fully baked. Place a toothpick into the cake, and if it comes out clean, then your cake is completely baked. Otherwise, consider baking for another 5 minutes.
After completing baking, remove the date cake from the oven and chill it.
Step 6: Add the toppings
Cooking an old-fashioned date cake is complete. Now it's time to add a finishing touch to the cooking steps. Remove the cake from the baking pan. Cut off the rounded top of the baked cake. Apply the stored buttercream to the cake. You can apply peanut butter or strawberry and apricot jam. I also prefer to enjoy the dish with sweet, melted caramel. You can try this too.
How to Store Old Fashioned Date Cakes?
Proper storage is key to keeping date cake fresh and delicious. After baking, allowing the cake to cool completely before storing it is important. This helps prevent moisture buildup inside the wrapping, which can lead to spoilage.
Once cooled, tightly wrap the cake in plastic or aluminum foil to create a barrier against air exposure. When stored correctly at room temperature, date cake can remain fresh for 1-2 days. If you wish to extend the freshness of your date cake, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Date cake can stay fresh for up to one week.
Bottom Line
I hope you enjoy making and indulging in this old-fashioned date cake recipe. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask. I will help you as soon as possible. So gather the ingredients, follow my steps, and get ready to savor a slice of nostalgia. Happy baking!
