A deliciously moist date cake topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:35 minutes
Total Time:55 minutes
Yield:12 servings 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 ½ cups pitted dates, chopped
1 ½ cups boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a bowl, combine the chopped dates and boiling water. Stir in the baking soda and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soften the dates.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the date mixture until well incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve.
Notes
For a nutty twist, add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter before baking.
Try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm spice flavor.