Date cake

Soak dates for a moist date cake

To ensure your date cake is moist, start by soaking your dates well. This makes them soft and helps them mix smoothly with the other ingredients. Aim for a purée without any hard bits to prevent a grainy texture.

Prevent overbaking

Overbaking is a common error that can dry out any cake. Watch the baking time closely to keep your date cake moist and delicious. When the cake has 5-10 minutes left in the oven, insert a clean skewer or toothpick into its centre. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it, the cake is done. If the skewer has wet batter on it, the cake needs more baking time. Check it again in 5-minute intervals until the skewer comes out clean.

Enhance the flavours with a dollop of skyr

Few things go as well with this date cake as a dollop of creamy skyr. The rich, tangy flavour perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the dates and the nutty crunch of almonds, creating a harmonious balance of tastes and textures. For an interesting twist, pair our matcha ice cream with your date cake: the tangy skyr, earthy matcha and cool contrast will take your snacking experience to a whole new level.

Lesser-known baking tricks

To bake a perfect date cake, try some lesser-known techniques for a delectable result. To avoid pricking your cake with a skewer or toothpick to check if it is done, use the finger-press test. Press the centre of the cake lightly with your finger. If it springs back, the cake is ready.

For an even bake, rotate your cake halfway through baking. This helps if your oven heats unevenly and prevents one side of the cake from baking faster than the other. Rotating also ensures an even rise and consistent colour.

To prevent a domed cake, wrap a damp towel or an insulating strip around the cake tin. This regulates the temperature, making the edges bake at the same rate as the centre for a flatter cake.

If you want a fine crumb texture, sift your dry ingredients like cocoa powder and flour before adding them to the batter. This add air for a lighter cake and mixes the dry ingredients evenly, avoiding lumps.

Try one, if not all, of these baking tricks to improve the quality of your next date cake.

What steps can I take to keep my date cake moist?

Overbaking is typically the biggest culprit to a dry cake so be sure to follow the recipe’s recommended baking time and oven temperature exactly. Our recipe also includes skyr and oil as key ingredients for a perfectly moist date cake. The dates themselves also contribute due to their softness, so make sure that you blend them thoroughly into the mix. As an extra step, consider creating a fine date purée by soaking them in boiling water and then blending into a smooth paste before adding to the almond flour. Lastly, avoid the temptation to cut into your cake right away. Instead, allow the flavours to blend and moisture to spread evenly by covering the cake and letting it sit overnight.

Explore sweet and savoury garnishes

Give your traditional date cake an exciting twist by experimenting with both sweet and savoury garnishes. Enhance the sweetness with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup after it cools. If you enjoy a mix of flavours, a sprinkling of sea salt flakes on top will add a savoury kick that offsets the sweetness. A scoop of nice cream is also a cool addition to highlight the date cake’s sweetness and texture. Start with our berry or banana nice cream, both of which will add an interesting burst of flavour to every bite.

Enhance with a variety of nuts

If you love a rich, nutty flavour in snacks, try adding different nuts like walnuts or pecans to the almonds and pistachios already included in this recipe. Toast and chop them first for extra crunch and deeper flavour.

Why dates excel in baking

Dates are an excellent baking ingredient, offering a natural sweetness and sticky texture which results in a tender crumb. This texture is particularly useful in rich and dense recipes, such as brownies or sticky toffee puddings. Their versatility also means that dates can be chopped for texture or pureed into a smooth paste, which is useful as a base in many recipes.

Preparing the batter in a food processor

Using a food processor to prepare the batter not only makes the process quicker and easier, it also ensures a smooth consistency. Pulsing the ingredients (rather than continuous blending) offers precise control over the mixing process. This method ensures evenly distributed ingredients without risking overmixing which could lead to a dense or tough texture in the finished cake. It also preserves the distinct textures of ingredients like dates and nuts, allowing you to achieve the desired consistency.

What else can I use my date cake for?

Date cake is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways. Layer it into a berry salad or use it as a base for a parfait, topping it with whipped cream, fresh berries and a drizzle of honey or syrup. When crumbled, it also works as a quick and easy topping for anything from oatmeal bake to a simple bowl of yoghurt. With its rich flavour and moist texture, your date cake is sure to inspire endless culinary creations!