Description
Fragrant with citrus and spice, this moist date cake is naturally sweetened with honey and dates, and infused with orange zest, cardamom, and cinnamon. It’s a cozy, wholesome treat perfect for dessert or tea time.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped
1 cup boiling water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
2 large eggs
1/3 cup honey (plus more for drizzle)
Zest of 1 large orange
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour or spelt flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch round or square baking pan.
- In a bowl, pour boiling water over chopped dates and stir in baking soda. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, eggs, honey, orange zest, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Slightly mash the softened dates and stir the entire mixture (including the water) into the wet ingredients.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold gently just until combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Drizzle warm honey over the cake just before serving.
Notes
Swap all-purpose flour with spelt flour for added fiber and nuttier flavor.
Use flax eggs and coconut oil for a vegan version.
Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
Enhance citrus flavor by adding a splash of orange juice to the batter or drizzle.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months and reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
