Date and walnut cake

Dessert

  • Prep time:

    10'

  • Cook time:

    30'

  • Difficulty:

    Easy

Indulge in the sweet embrace of a freshly baked date and walnut loaf – prepare it over the weekend for a delightful treat to savor during the week.

Ingredients

Serves 10

  • 250g soft dates
  • 150ml boiling water
  • 100g unsalted butter
  • 100g walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp instant coffee granules
  • 130g Pure Via® Brown Sugar
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 225g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp Pure Via® Demerara
  • pinch of salt

Method

  • 1

    Preheat your oven to a cozy 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4. Prepare a 900g/2lb loaf tin by generously greasing the sides and lining the base with a strip of buttered baking paper.

  • 2

    In a spacious mixing bowl, gather the diced butter, pitted dates, and hot boiling water. Stir them thoroughly until a smooth, cohesive mixture forms. Allow this date mixture to stand for 30 minutes, allowing the butter to melt and the dates to soften and release their natural sweetness.

  • 3

    Put the Pure Via® Brown Sugar into the date mixture and stir vigorously until the sugars have dissolved completely and the mixture is smooth and uniform.

  • 4

    In a large mixing bowl, sift the dry ingredients together: all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until a smooth and consistent blend forms. Gradually add the chopped walnuts, reserving 1 tablespoon for garnish. Stir until the mixture is well-combined.

  • 5

    Place the prepared loaf tin on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 170°C/150°C fan/Gas 3 and continue baking for 25–30 minutes more, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly, gently cover the top with a loose sheet of aluminum foil or baking paper.

  • 6

    Carefully remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 3-4 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the loaf to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

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Ready to satisfy