If you are looking for a quick breakfast cake loaded with dates then here is a date loaf cake. It is a perfect with a cup of coffee.
This is simple recipe which requires mixing just wet and dry ingredients, and fold in dates and bake it. Usually most of the recipes requires pureeing of dates. However, this uses chopped dates that too without any soaking in alcohol or boiling with water or fruit juice.
Little bit history behind this date loaf cake.
Dates are exotic fruits in America during the 20th century. Also, it is one of the food crops sought for by US farmers to grow by “ Agriculture Explorers” employed by US Department of Agriculture. California’s arid conditions are perfect growing dates and Algerian date palm were planted in California in 1900 and it launched the domestic dates Industry.
Dates are known to have anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity
To introduce the dates in American kitchen they started writing about back of the box recipes with dates for making date nuts cakes and bread.
This Recipe is adapted from American Cake by Anne Byrn. I have made few changes to adjust our taste.
How to make this Date loaf cake
You need following ingredients to make this cake.
All purpose flour : I used unbleached all-purpose flour . You use a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour also.
Baking Soda and Baking powder : I used both leavener here.
Butter: You need to use softened butter and creaming of butter with sugar and incorporate more air into the cake batter.
Spices : I have added warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg .
Sugar : Only 2 tablespoon of granulated sugar is used you can skip that if you want to make it sugar less one. This gives characteristic caramel color to the loaf cake.
Egg: I have added one large egg which adds extra moisture to the cake.
Dates : I used pitted dates which is chopped into thin slices so that it will not sink to the bottom of the cake
Buttermilk/ Yogurt: I have used yogurt you can use either of them .
Variation
This date loaf cake is delicious by itself but if you want you can make the following variation.
1) Add your favorite nuts, walnuts, pecans and coconut will go really well.
2) You can add fruits, like pears, apples, and bananas .
3) It also pair well with warm flavors, like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger
How to serve this Date loaf cake?
You can serve as such or serve with cream cheese ,goat cheese or soften butter.
Do you love dates recipes?
Chocolate Orange Cake Gluten free and vegan
Midnight Chocolate Mousse for date night
Uniqueness of this recipe it uses whole dates, not pureed, or paste. So, it requires no soaking or cooking of the dates. Even though original recipe asked for ¾ cup of sugar I found that it is going to be overly sweet. With 2 tablespoon sugar and 1 cup dates you get sweet enough have it as breakfast cake.
Date Loaf cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups 260g All purpose flour
- 1 cup 163g Pitted dates ( about 18 no)
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup yogurt/ butter milk
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 350°F/ 176°C. Grease a 9 x5 inch pan with butter and flour and line with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl mix, flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda , cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and set aside.
- Mean while add 1 tablespoon flour mix to chopped dates and coat well. This will help to prevent the dates from sinking to the bottom while baking.
- In another bowl beat soften butter with sugar once it is creamed well incorporate egg and mix once again. Then add yogurt and combine everything.
- To this add dry ingredients in two batches and mix well so that is just combined do not over mix.
- Finally fold in the dates and transfer the cake batter to prepared loaf tin. And bake at 350°F/ 176°C for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Then slice and serve.
Video
Nutrition
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
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Petro says
This date loaf cake recipe is so GOOD! The loaf is soft, fluffy, and moist and the added dates bring so much flavor!
Rose Jane Carcedo says
Oh wow! This bread looks really tasty! Thanks for sharing the recipe. SO easy to follow!
Monica Y says
I love dares, this is going to be a hit with my family, I am making it this weekend
Jasmine Hewitt says
never tried a date loaf cake. maybe with coffee its really nice
Ivan M. Jose says
Delicious! This is a great way to prepare dates. I can have this with coffee or a cold drink.
Kelli A says
I love dates and think this would be a great recipe to try out!
Kathy says
This loaf looks so amazing. I will need to try it out. I love making loaf cakes.
Gervin Khan says
Your date loaf cake makes my mouth watering.
Really excited to make this recipe for everyone. Thank you!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
It looks beautiful! I really wish I had a slice right now with coffee!
Scarlett Brooklyn says
It looks great and thanks for the video, it makes it more easier to follow.
Richelle Escat says
Seems perfect for breakfast. I think I'll pair this with my favorite milk.
Heather says
This sounds so good. I haven't had dates since I was a kid.
Lara says
Love the combination of the warm spices with the sweet dates. Delicious
Chef Dennis says
This Date Loaf Cake looks absolutely delicious! I will make this tonight.
Lindsay says
Oh my goodness, this looks perfect to make in advance for a weekend when company is in town! Can't wait to make it. I love dates!
Tara Pittman says
What a delicious looking cake. I will have to make this for breakfast this weekend
Amber Myers says
Oh yum, what a tasty dessert! I will have to give this a try. I haven't had dates in forever.
Lara says
This is great not just for breakfast but at any time of day! I especially loved the cinnamon kick and other spices!