Old-Fashioned Date and Walnut Cake
This delightful dessert is moist, rich, and studded with sweet dates and crunchy walnuts, making each bite a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. A nostalgic cake with roots in British and Southern desserts that's perfect for family gatherings or cozy afternoons with tea.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates chopped
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Combine the chopped dates and boiling water in a bowl. Stir in the baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the dates.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add to the wet mixture, alternating with the date mixture. Start and end with the flour mixture.
- Gently fold in the chopped walnuts to evenly distribute them in the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.