Moist & Nutty Date and Walnut Cake with Warm Spices
Introduction
This Date and Walnut Cake is a cozy, nostalgic bake—soft, moist, and packed with natural sweetness from dates, crunchy walnuts, and a gentle blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. Finished with a buttery brown sugar glaze, it’s the perfect teatime treat or festive dessert.
Ingredients
For the Cake
1½ cups all‑purpose flour (190 g)
1 tsp baking soda (5 g)
½ tsp baking powder (2 g)
¼ tsp salt (1 g)
1 tsp cinnamon (2.5 g)
½ tsp nutmeg (1 g)
1 cup pitted dates, chopped (150 g)
¾ cup boiling water (180 ml)
½ tsp baking soda (for soaking dates) (2 g)
½ cup unsalted butter, softened (115 g)
¾ cup brown sugar (150 g)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
½ cup milk (120 ml)
¾ cup chopped walnuts (90 g)
For the Glaze
½ cup brown sugar (100 g)
¼ cup unsalted butter (55 g)
2 tbsp milk or cream (30 ml)
1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
Preheat Oven: 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9‑inch loaf pan.
Prepare Dates: Combine chopped dates, boiling water, and ½ tsp baking soda. Let sit 10 minutes.
Dry Mix: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in softened date mixture.
Add Dry & Milk: Alternate adding flour mixture and milk until just combined.
Fold Walnuts: Gently mix in chopped walnuts.
Bake: Pour into pan, bake 45–50 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool: Rest 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack.
Glaze: Heat brown sugar, butter, and milk until dissolved. Simmer 3–4 minutes, remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
Finish: Drizzle glaze over cooled cake. Let set before slicing.
Tips & Tricks
Extra moist: Soak dates longer for a softer texture.
Nutty boost: Toast walnuts before folding in.
Spice variation: Add cardamom for a Middle Eastern twist.
Storage: Keeps 3–4 days at room temp, or freeze slices up to 2 months.
Variations
Sticky Toffee Style: Serve warm with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Chocolate Date Cake: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to dry mix.
Fruit & Nut Mix: Swap walnuts for pecans or add raisins.
Mini Loaves: Bake in smaller pans for gifting.
Serving Ideas
Pair with hot tea or coffee.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Slice thick and drizzle extra glaze for indulgence.
Dust with powdered sugar for a festive look.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: ~320 kcal per slice
Final Thoughts
This Date and Walnut Cake is moist, nutty, and beautifully spiced—a timeless bake that feels both comforting and elegant. The brown sugar glaze adds a glossy finish that makes each slice irresistible.