Date Cake | Date And Walnut Cake

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This Date Cake is a moist, soft, delightful cake featuring sweet dates, crunchy walnuts, fragrant coffee, healthy almond milk and raw sugar. It also has whole wheat flour that makes it wholesome and a bit healthier. Even a beginner in baking can make this eggless, vegan Date and Walnut Cake easily.

three date cake slices on white plate with dessert brass spoon.

About Date Cake

Date cake is a favorite with us. No wonder, I make this on days when we crave for sweets or desserts that are healthy.

This Date and Walnut Cake recipe is almost a decade old that I had posted many years back. I have been making this Date Cake for many years now.

It simply never fails and you get the perfect date loaf every time. My recipe always impresses my family and friends. When I serve this delish cake to them, they keep on asking for more.

The earlier recipe was made with a mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. Later I switched to making the cake entirely with whole wheat flour changing some of the other ingredients proportions.

And oh boy! I was so surprised to see the cake having a soft and moist crumb in spite of the whole wheat flour. So I have updated the recipe post to the date cake made entirely with whole wheat flour.

This date and walnut cake is healthy as together with dates and walnuts it is made with whole wheat flour and almond milk.

The cake recipe is apt to make for special days or festivals like Christmas or Easter, especially when you want to enjoy eating desserts that are not heavy on butter or cream frostings, refined flour and too much of fats like butter or oil.

Even a novice in baking can make this cake and get full marks. Try this cake and you will be simply bowled over by its texture, flavor and taste.

date walnut cake on white plate with cream colored doily on top.

Ingredients You Need

  • Flour: The entire recipe is made with whole wheat flour and works well with both the Indian wheat flour (atta) used for making roti and the milled whole wheat flour available outside India. You could easily swap the whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour, pastry flour or whole wheat pastry flour.
  • Dates: Well of course since the cake has dates in it, it is loaded with the flavor and aroma of dates. Dates also makes the cake soft.
  • Coffee: I also add instant coffee that pairs beautifully with the dates and add its own charm and flavor to the cake. Though you can chose to opt out of coffee.
  • Walnuts: I love to add some walnuts in this recipe. But if you are out of walnuts, skip them. But they do add a lovely crunch to the soft cake.
  • Chocolate Chips: You could also choose to add some chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Sometimes I do add these and I have mentioned the proportions in the recipe card below.
  • Leavening Ingredients: Both baking powder and baking soda are required and cannot be substituted for each other. Since this is an eggless cake, I would suggest that you use both baking powder and baking soda that are fresh and in their shelf-life.
  • Liquids: I make this cake with almond milk, but feel free to use your preferred milk to make the recipe. Earlier I have also made this recipe with homemade soy milk.

If you love baking with nuts and dry fruits, do check my Fruit Cake Recipe and Wine Cake.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Date Cake

Prep and Make Date Walnut Mixture

1. Rinse and finely chop 100 grams or about 5 large or 8 to 9 medium-sized or 12 small dates and 4 to 5 walnuts (25 grams).

Measure and you will need ½ cup finely chopped dates (tightly packed) and ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts.

Grease a 7.5 to 8 inches round pan with oil (neutral flavored) or line it with a parchment paper. You can also use a loaf pan to make date loaf.

chopped dates and walnuts in a measuring bowl.

2. Heat 1 cup almond milk (or choice of milk) in a pan or steel bowl. Do not boil. The milk should only be hot.

almond milk in a bowl on a lit stovetop.

3. Switch off heat and place the pan or bowl on the kitchen countertop. Add instant coffee.

instant coffee sprinkled on almond milk in bowl.

4. Add the finely chopped dates and walnuts.

chopped dates and walnuts on top milk in bowl.

5. Mix very well to make an even mixture.

evenly mixed wet dates, walnuts with milk in bowl.

6. Add ½ cup raw sugar. You can also add ½ cup white sugar or add it according to the sweetness you prefer in the cake.

mound of sugar over wet ingredients in bowl.

7. Mix thoroughly until the sugar granules dissolves. Set aside to cool for about 15 minutes.

wet mixture in bowl with a spoon inside.

Make Cake Batter

8. Place a wired mesh sieve over the bowl and ddd the following dry ingredients to it.

  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour – 180 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder 
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt

Sift the dry ingredients directly over the bowl ensuring the sifted ingredients fall into the bowl.

date cake dry ingredients over a fine mesh sieve.

9. Pour all of the the cooled dates and milk mixture to the sifted dry ingredients in the bowl.

wet ingredients added over sifted dry ingredients.

10. Add ¼ cup of sunflower oil (or any neutral tasting oil), ¼ cup water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon vanilla essence. 

water, oil, vanilla extract in bowl over wet ingredients.

11. Mix with a wired whisk or you can also choose to fold the batter. 

Mix to an even batter but take care not to overdo the mixing or folding. Over-mixing can cause gluten strands to develop in the batter and will result in a doughy dense texture.

date walnut cake batter being made with a wired whisk.

12. Pour in the greased or parchment lined pan. Tap the pan with the batter in it on the countertop a few times so that the batter spreads on its own. 

cake batter in a baking pan.

Bake Date Cake

13. Bake at 190 degrees C/392 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes. Preheat oven at 190 degrees C/392 degrees F for 15 minutes. It took me 40 minutes to bake in my oven.

Note that temperatures vary from oven to oven. It can take less or more time for the cake to bake in your oven. 

pan with date cake batter in oven.

14. Check the baked date cake with bamboo skewer. The skewer should come out clean with no sticky batter on it.

date and walnut cake being checked with a bamboo skewer.

15. Cool cake pan on wired rack.

baked date cake inside pan on a wired tray.

16. Slice and serve when cooled. You can also refrigerate the date cake for about a week. Store the cake in an air-tight container in the fridge.

three date cake slices on white plate with golden fork by the side.

More Egg-free Cakes To Try!

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three date cake slices on white plate with golden fork by the side.

Date Cake | Date and Walnut Cake

This Date Cake is a moist, light, soft, delightful cake made with dates, walnuts, coffee, almond milk, sugar and whole wheat flour. A slightly healthier Date and Walnut cake that can be served as dessert or a sweet snack.
4.88 from 91 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Cuisine World
Course Desserts
Diet Vegan
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings Date Cake
Units

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup finely chopped dates (tightly-packed) – 100 grams or 5 arwa dates (or 5 large dates) or 12 small or 8 to 9 medium-sized dates.
  • ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts – 25 grams
  • 2 teaspoons instant coffee
  • 1 cup almond milk or choice of milk
  • ½ cup raw sugar – 110 grams, can use ½ cup of regular sugar instead
  • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs or small chocolate chips, optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
  • ¼ cup sunflower oil
  • ¼ cup water

Dry Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour – 180 grams
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt
Prevent your screen from going dark while making the recipe

Instructions
 

Making cake batter

  • Finely chop the dates and walnuts and set aside. If you prefer, you can rinse dates, walnuts before chopping them.
  • Line a 7.5 to 8 inches cake pan with parchment or grease it with a neutral flavored oil like sunflower oil.
  • Take almond milk in a small pan and heat it gently on low. Do not boil the milk but only heat it.
  • When the milk gets hot, place the pan on the kitchen countertop.
  • Add the instant coffee, finely chopped dates and walnuts, sugar. Stir to get an even mixture and ensure that the coffee granules and sugar have mixed evenly.
  • Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
  • Now you can preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/392 F for 15 minutes.
  • Sift whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Add dates and milk mixture to the sifted dry ingredients.
  • If using cacao nibs or chocolate chips add them now.
  • Next add sunflower oil, water and vanilla extract. 
  • Mix with a wired whisk or you can also choose to fold the batter. Mix or fold to an even batter. Remember not to overdo the mixing or folding.
  • Pour batter in the greased or parchment lined cake pan.
  • With the help of a rubber spatula remove the batter from the sides of the bowl and add it to the cake pan.
  • Tap the pan on the countertop a few times so that the batter spreads on its own. 

Baking date cake

  • Place cake pan in the preheated oven and bake at 190 degrees C/392 F for 35 to 40 minutes.
    Keep in mind that each oven has a different baking temperature. So to bake the cake in your oven, it can take less or more time. It took me 40 minutes to bake this cake in my oven.
  • Check cake with a bamboo skewer by inserting it in the center of the cake as well as around the edges. The bamboo skewer should come out clean.
  • Place the cake pan on a wired rack or tray to cool.
  • When cooled, slice and the Date and Walnut cake. Serve as a evening snack or as a dessert.
  • The remaining cake can be kept in an air-tight box and refrigerated. Keeps well for about a week.

Notes

  • You can make this date cake easily with all-purpose flour, pastry flour or whole wheat pastry flour. You can also use an equal mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour.
  • Addition of coffee and cacao nibs are optional.
  • For a more earthy flavor in the cake, choose to add coconut sugar, palm sugar or jaggery.
  • Use neutral flavored oil – one that is odorless and flavorless. Please do not use any oil which has an aroma or a particular flavor. 
  • Instead of oil, you can use softened unsalted butter. If using salted butter omit adding salt. 
  • Note that the approximate nutrition info is for the entire cake made from this recipe.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Date Cake | Date and Walnut Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1949 Calories from Fat 729
% Daily Value*
Fat 81g125%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 19g
Monounsaturated Fat 50g
Sodium 927mg40%
Potassium 1774mg51%
Carbohydrates 293g98%
Fiber 28g117%
Sugar 148g164%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 29IU1%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.4mg24%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 11mg55%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Vitamin E 24mg160%
Vitamin K 9µg9%
Calcium 609mg61%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 122µg31%
Iron 9mg50%
Magnesium 335mg84%
Phosphorus 1071mg107%
Zinc 6mg40%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This Date Cake recipe post from the blog archives first published in March 2013 has been republished and updated on Jun 2022.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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277 Comments

  1. I have bought a new OTG and had some doubts before baking this cake. Do you bake the cakes using both the coils or only single coil (top or bottom)? Should we always place the tin in the middle rack for baking cakes?

    1. shweta, mostly i use both the coils while baking and keep in the center rack. if i use a loaf pan which occupies more space, then i keep in the second last rack. using both the coils helps in even baking.

  2. Thanks for the recipe .. i used only whole wheat.. also added a tbsp of brandy… the cake was loved by all…

  3. Hi Di…I have bought an OTG just before few days…this will be my first recepie in OTG…can u plz tell me which type of baking utensils can I use in OTG? I am having aluminum moulds.. should I use it or not? I want to buy loaf pan from Amazon.. should I go for it or not? Plz guide me about OTG friendly baking utensils..I will b grateful to you…

    1. samreen, i have conventional habits as far as baking pans are considered. so i usually use aluminium pans for baking. on occasions i also use glass pans which are meant for baking. but i avoid silicon or any other material and even non-stick baking pans. you can use aluminium moulds. you can buy loaf pans from amazon. check the reviews and then buy.

      1. Thanks for yet another wonderful recipe. However, I wonder why steel baking pans are difficult to find in the market. I prefer steel since aluminium is supposed to be bad for health, it leaches into the food when heated. I have managed to find one square stainless steel baking pan but beyond that, have been trying for a steel bread loaf pan but haven’t found it still.

        Thanks for the “go to website” for our cooking needs5 stars

        1. Welcome Neera and thank you. Even I have not been able to source steel pans and I have even searched them locally in shops. I think it because aluminium is cost-friendly for the manufacturers and also it is an excellent conductor of heat.

  4. Hello ma’am…
    I regularly visit your page and try your recipes.. And they always turn out great…
    I just have a doubt in this date and walnut cake…
    3/4th cup regular sugar means the normal regular using sugar or powdered sugar????5 stars

  5. Lovely cake recipe. This is my go to recipe for date and walnut now.
    Thank you for sharing.5 stars

  6. Thanks for your recipes. I always try them and they turn out great. I look out for your recipes as they are the healthier versions and I use them to bake for my 2 year old kid. Your orange cake recipe is a hit with my kiddo. I would like to try out this dates cake, but have one question.
    Can I skip the coffee powder and cacao nibs/chocolate chips in the cake as I want to make it for my 2 yr old.4 stars

    1. thanks vilasni for the feedback and rating on orange cake as well other baking recipes. yes you can skip both coffee and cacao nibs.

  7. Thank you very much and God bless you and your famly. I always try your recipes and they come out perfect and yummy. I also tried this cake and it was just beyond belief. It got over in 1 hour and my family wants more of it. And it is unbelievable that it is eggless and so easy to make.
    I always recommend your recipes to all my friends and family. please keep up the good work. God bless you. Take care.

    1. thanks a lot sulata for this lovely feedback. glad to know. eggless cake recipes can be made in such a way that they have a good texture and taste. thanks for sharing the website with your friends and family too. warm regards and best wishes to you.

    1. anjana, you can only use whole wheat flour. but add more liquids like milk and water. whole wheat flour absorbs more water than maida.

  8. Hi, I was so impressed by the receipe I immediately started baking! Followed it word by word. Even measured everything from flour to baking powder and soda. But my cake had some flaws. Like it developed cracks on the top surface. it was cooked nicely a shade of brown on top but insides seemed quite soft like not much cooked (toothpick test was positive, I checked twice before removing from oven) also it was not spongy 🙁 Please help, what did I do wrong or miss.
    Thanks in advance
    Vandana5 stars

    1. vandana, from what you mention looks like the batter was mixed too much. if gluten strands develop in the batter, the cake will have cracks, won’t be soft or spongy and the texture will be like that of cooked atta. so while mixing eggless cake batters, especially with whole wheat flour, always mix or fold with light pressure. do not mix too much. the batter should fall easily and have volume. if the batter looks stringy or very thick or doughy, then the resulting cake won’t have a good texture.

  9. Love your recipes.
    Blindly follow eggless Tutti Frutti cake, banana bread and now this one.
    Still in the oven and will be two days before i can eat it as I am prepping this one for my father in law’s 84 th bday.

    I hope it turns out well.5 stars

  10. Hi.
    I have been following your cake receipes for a while and they have always come out really well. But i have encountered a problem with this cake. The halfed the ingredients and the cake came out clean. It was thoroughly cooked and raised evenly. But the cake tatses like raw wheat dough than a date flavoured receipe. Is there any solution for this?
    Thank you.4 stars

    1. madhu, looks like the batter has been over mixed. if the batter is over mixed, then gluten strands form which give a doughy taste and texture to the cake. so try to mix any eggless and whole wheat flour batter lightly and do not over do. hope this helps.

  11. Hi dear.
    Frankly i was a bit hesitant about how this cake will turn out but it is so soft n amazing. Thanks for this easy recipe. It is a keeper. Thanks again5 stars

  12. Hi dassana, I was thinking of preparing this cake with whole wheat flour only. To counter the nutty aroma of whole wheat in cakes, I often add elaichi powder. Do you think elaichi flavour will go along with coffee? Or shall I add cinnamon powder instead? Please also mention the amount to be added. Thanks.

    1. usually for cakes with coffee added, i add cinnamon powder. never added elaichi powder. but you can try. it may go well with coffee powder. add 1/2 teaspoon elaichi powder.

  13. Hi,

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have baked your chocolate cake many times and had always turned out to be amazing.

    I want to bake this cake for my 11 month old baby. Please help me clarify a few things.

    1) can I make Cupcakes out of this batter? Is it okay without the liner if I pour directly into the greased molds?
    2) Can I crush the walnut to semi ground consistency? What quantity should I use?
    3) if I want to use butter, what form should it be in? Melted?

    Thank you!5 stars

    1. thanks jinal. you can make cupcakes. liners are not essential. just grease the muffin or cup cake moulds well with oil or butter. you can make a coarse mixture of the walnuts. use 1/3rd cup of walnuts and then crush them. use melted butter.

          1. Made it with whole wheat flour only. My walnuts got crushed quite a bit, nevertheless it tastes yummylicious. My son loves it! Thank you 🙂5 stars