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A close-up overhead shot of a homemade date and walnut cake recipe slice on a white plate, showing moist texture and rustic appeal.

Date and Walnut Cake Reipe

Moist and comforting date and walnut cake made with pantry staples. Naturally sweet, rich, and easy to bake — a timeless family dessert!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Soaking Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British, Middle Eastern
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups pitted dates Chopped, Medjool preferred
  • 1 cup boiling water To soften the dates
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter Softened
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar Light or dark
  • 2 eggs Large, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pure preferred
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Spoon and level
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg Ground
  • 1 cup walnuts Chopped
  • 2 tablespoon flour For dusting the walnuts

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch pan Greased, metal preferred
  • 2 Mixing bowls Medium and large
  • 1 Spatula For folding ingredients
  • 1 Whisk To blend dry ingredients
  • 1 Wire rack For cooling
  • 1 Digital scale For accurate flour measurement
  • 1 Fine-mesh strainer Optional, for dusting flour on nuts

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. Soak chopped dates in boiling water for 15 minutes. Stir in baking soda.
  3. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
  5. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  6. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with date mixture.
  7. Toss walnuts with 2 tablespoon flour and gently fold into batter.
  8. Spread batter into the pan and bake for 45–50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.