Date and Walnut Cake is truly a celebration of everything comforting, wholesome, and delicious. Imagine walking into a sunlit kitchen, the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramelized dates swirling through the air. This beloved classic boasts a lusciously moist crumb, filled with buttery rich walnuts and studded with sweet dates in every bite. Whether you’re sharing it at teatime or sneaking a late-night slice, Date and Walnut Cake is a treat you’ll want to bake again and again—it’s the kind of cake that brings people together, sparks stories, and transforms the simplest moments into something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll unlock big, bold flavors in this Date and Walnut Cake. These ingredients come together effortlessly, each one playing its own essential role—creating a cake that’s perfectly textured, warmly spiced, and invitingly rich. Here’s what you’ll need and why they matter:
- Dates: The star of the cake, adding juicy sweetness and that irresistible chew in every bite. Use soft, pitted dates for easy chopping.
- Boiling Water: Softens the dates, making them plump and luscious and helping to keep the cake moist.
- Baking Soda: Sprinkled over the dates, it neutralizes their acidity and helps them soften beautifully.
- Unsalted Butter: Brings rich, creamy flavor and a tender texture; make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep molasses undertones and extra moisture, resulting in a more flavorful crumb.
- Eggs: The structure builders, binding everything together for that perfect slice.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the delicious flavors and brings a lovely aroma to your cake.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure and holds all those tasty add-ins.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cake its gentle lift and delicate fluffiness.
- Salt: Just a dash brightens up and balances the flavors.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, spiced notes that pair so well with the dates and walnuts.
- Ground Nutmeg: A pinch brings subtle depth and rounds out the spice profile.
- Walnuts: Nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake—toast them first for extra flavor if you like!
- Powdered Sugar (optional): A snowy dusting makes for a picture-perfect presentation and a touch of extra sweetness.
How to Make Date and Walnut Cake
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or better yet, line it with parchment paper for an easy cake release. This simple step ensures your Date and Walnut Cake comes out in one beautiful piece, ready to be sliced and savored.
Step 2: Soften the Dates
Combine your chopped dates with baking soda in a heatproof bowl, then pour over the boiling water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. This transforms the dates into plump, sticky gems that melt into the cake, giving each bite that signature moistness and sweetness.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy—the color should lighten and the mixture will look airy. This is the secret to that delicate crumb texture we crave in a good loaf cake!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs create structure and help your Date and Walnut Cake rise just right, while vanilla adds those inviting, homey notes.
Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This not only distributes the leavening and spices evenly but also prevents lumps, ensuring every slice is perfectly seasoned.
Step 6: Combine Everything
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the softened dates and their liquid. Begin and end with the dry ingredients—this technique keeps the batter light and prevents over-mixing. Mix just until combined for a tender crumb!
Step 7: Fold in Walnuts
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts, being careful not to overwork the batter. The walnuts provide an irresistible crunch and a nutty richness that contrast beautifully with the dates’ sweetness.
Step 8: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Pop it into the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly as it bakes!
Step 9: Cool and Finish
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’d like, dust the top with powdered sugar for a snowy, bakery-worthy finish. Voila—your Date and Walnut Cake is ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Date and Walnut Cake
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the fully cooled cake, or adorn each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of tangy cream cheese. A handful of extra chopped walnuts on top will hint at the crunchy goodness inside.
Side Dishes
Serve your Date and Walnut Cake with a strong cup of English breakfast tea, rich coffee, or even a chai latte—these bring out the cake’s warming spices. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce takes it straight into decadent dessert territory.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the cake thin and toasting it lightly for a crispy tea-time snack, or cut it into cubes to use as the base for a simple trifle layered with whipped cream and berries. Mini loaf pans or muffin tins also make adorable, giftable versions of this Date and Walnut Cake.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store it at room temperature for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen over time, making your Date and Walnut Cake even more delightful on day two!
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully. Simply wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap and then foil. Stash it in the freezer for up to two months. When the craving strikes, just thaw at room temperature and enjoy a homemade treat whenever you like.
Reheating
For that just-baked feel, warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or toast lightly under a broiler. This softens the cake and reinvigorates the aroma, making every bite taste freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?
Absolutely! Pecans, hazelnuts, or even almonds work well. Just make sure they’re roughly chopped and, if possible, toasted to enhance their flavor.
Is it possible to make this cake vegan?
You can definitely try swapping the butter for a plant-based alternative, and use flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer in place of the eggs. The cake will still be moist and flavorful, though the texture may vary slightly.
What’s the best way to chop dates without them sticking together?
A little trick: Dust your chopped dates with a teaspoon of flour, or use kitchen scissors greased with a bit of oil to snip them right into the bowl. This makes the sticky job much easier!
Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce the brown sugar by up to 1/4 cup if you prefer a less sweet cake, especially since dates add so much natural sweetness. The cake will still be moist and delicious.
How do I know the Date and Walnut Cake is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it’s ready. If there’s still wet batter, pop the cake back in for a few more minutes and check again.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a longtime fan or baking it for the first time, this Date and Walnut Cake delivers comfort, character, and plenty of flavor. It’s a timeless favorite that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So gather your ingredients, share a slice with someone you love, and start your own memories with this classic treat!
Print
Date and Walnut Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of this classic British Date and Walnut Cake. Moist and flavorful, this cake is perfect for teatime or as a delightful dessert option. The combination of sweet dates and crunchy walnuts makes every bite a delightful experience.
Ingredients
Dates Mixture:
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Cake Batter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Dates Mixture: In a bowl, combine chopped dates with baking soda and pour boiling water over them. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften.
- Prepare Batter: Cream butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine Ingredients: Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with the softened dates and their liquid. Mix until just combined. Fold in chopped walnuts.
- Bake: Pour batter into a prepared loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Notes
- This cake pairs well with cream cheese or mascarpone.
- Store wrapped tightly; it keeps well for several days and can be frozen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
