Description
This Orange and Date Cake with Walnuts is a moist, flavorful dessert combining zesty orange, sweet dates, and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a delightful dessert, this cake is easy to prepare and baked to perfection with warm cinnamon spice notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 240g all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 150g granulated sugar (3/4 cup)
- 120g unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup)
- 120ml fresh orange juice (about 1/2 cup)
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 50ml milk (about 1/4 cup)
Add-ins
- 200g dates, pitted and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 100g walnuts, chopped (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which adds air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh orange juice to infuse citrus flavor throughout.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix gently until you have a smooth, homogenous batter without overmixing.
- Fold in Dates, Zest, and Walnuts: Carefully fold in the chopped dates, orange zest, and chopped walnuts to ensure even distribution without deflating the batter.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving, which helps the cake set perfectly.
Notes
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor.
- Make sure dates are pitted and chopped finely to distribute evenly.
- Do not overmix the batter once you add flour to avoid a dense cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before cutting to maintain its shape.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans if preferred.
