Date Cake Delicious
- Total Time
- 90 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
Advertisement
Ingredients
Yield:2 loaves
- Butter, for greasing pan
- 3¼cup/454 grams flour, sifted, plus additional for dusting pan
- 2cups/340 grams pitted dates, each date cut into three pieces
- 1tablespoon shortening
- 1cup sugar
- 1egg, beaten
- 1½teaspoons baking powder
- 1teaspoon baking soda
- 1teaspoon salt
- ½teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼teaspoon nutmeg
- 1cup chopped pecans or other nuts
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)
326 calories; 11 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 54 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 39 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 200 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 6-cup (8-by-4-inch) loaf pans; set aside.
- Step 2
In a mixing bowl, combine the dates, shortening and 1½ cups boiling water. Set aside to cool, stirring frequently. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and egg; whisk to combine. Add to the date mixture and stir well until combined.
- Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cloves and nutmeg. Add the date and sugar mixture and stir just until combined. Stir in the nuts.
- Step 4
Divide batter between the pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, being careful not to overbake; 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and finish cooling on a rack.
Private Notes
Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.
Cooking Notes
Fran B.
I think there's a mistake in the recipe--- no way for two loaves of any kind of quick bread would you use only 1 T of shortening! Probably meant to be a Cup, at least!
Barbara
Did you use only one tablespoon shortening as directed? The comment below yours suggested it was insufficient. Please help. Thanks.
Ruth
Easy and delicious. I took the loafs out at 50 minutes and think they might have been done at 45. As the headline says: almost a cake.
Gloria
Made this twice: the first time I followed the recipe, except for halving the sugar, and it came very dry. The second time I used 2 tbsps. of shortening (coconut oil), still halved the sugar, and substituted 1 1/4 cups of whole wheat flour. I baked it at 325 degrees for 40 minutes. It came really good! Great basic recipe though.
Sharmistha
Can we use butter instead of shortening? Also can we use dried figs instead of dates?
maria
I followed this exactly, and is was delicious and easy , no mixers here. A perfect tea bread slathered on butter or soft cheese. Don't forget you add1-1/2 cups of boiling water to the dates. It's even good toasted with, see above butter and cheese....channel your inner granny and try it
ffrockport
I baked this & found the batter so thick that I added at least 1/2 cup extra water... I thought still too thick. After baking, cakes were far too dry, no one in the family would eat.
me
Halved the recipe to make only one loaf except kept the full tablespoon of shortening. Reduced the cooking time to 45 minutes and it came out perfect. Moist and tender.
C VELA
An absolute delight. I found extra success in allowing the dough/batter a minute to rest before being fully mixed. The limited fats are replaced by the water added to the dates, which should be listed on the ingredients but oh well. Chewy crust, dense but soft crumb, not too sweet! Fabulous!
C VELA
Ah, I forgot to note that I omitted nuts and spices. I wanted a light flavor and a soft bite. Success!
Marianne
I made this into 2 loaves and baked for 50 minutes. They came out dry. Maybe it needs more shortening or another egg or less time in the oven, but they tasted fine, just very dry.
Lisa
Agree with others, bake only 40 minutes. I followed the recipe and loaves were slightly burned on the edges. Otherwise, very yummy as a toasted and buttered breakfast bread with tea! I’ve put the second loaf in the freezer to have for a full house over the coming holidays.
Greg
Coconut oil, dried figs, 2 eggs, 40 mins. Perfect.
Michelle
Delicious! I used butter in lieu of shortening, and a Bundt pan, as I didn’t have two small loaf pans, and took it out at 45 minutes. I was curious about the lack of oil or shortening in this recipe, but the boiling water compensates. It’s great toasted with butter! (Maybe a little dry to have plain.)
Cynthia
This is quite good when made with only about 5/8 c. sugar. Would be too sweet otherwise. Also, if making in larger pans (9x5 are the loaf pans i have) it bakes up quickly. I took it out at 40 minutes. Was perfect. I believe my oven is fairly accurate.
SharonATX
This was wonderful! We halved the recipe (didn't want two loaves) but kept the full egg and tablespoon of coconut oil (subbed for shortening). Ours was done closer to 40-45 minutes. It was warm and tasty and made the kitchen smell like heaven. So easy too--this is a great recipe and a unique take on a tea cake.
Esther
Made almost exactly as directed, except the batter was pretty dry so I added 2 TBSP of orange juice. Delicious! I will be making it again!
lucy
I followed the recipe. The taste and mouth feel are very good; I'll make it again. But! The stuff didn't rise. The batter was very thick -- too thick. I let the mixture bake for half the time called for, based on other readers' comments, and it was done when I took it out. But why didn't it rise? (The sell-by dates on the baking soda and powder were fine.) Anybody have a clue? Thanks.
Scr
Is it 1 cup of shortening? This is a huge change
HB
I cut the shortening and replaced it with 1/2 c canola oil. Instead of 1 cup of sugar, I put in 1/2 c sugar and 1/2 c date honey. I also added 1/4 cup amaretto liqueur. It was a hit!
Sharmistha
Can we use butter instead of shortening? Also can we use dried figs instead of dates?
maria
I followed this exactly, and is was delicious and easy , no mixers here. A perfect tea bread slathered on butter or soft cheese. Don't forget you add1-1/2 cups of boiling water to the dates. It's even good toasted with, see above butter and cheese....channel your inner granny and try it
Private notes are only visible to you.
Advertisement
