Jamie Oliver’s Dreamy Date & Walnut Cake Recipe – Sweet Treat

Jamie Oliver date and walnut cake embodies the heart of British comfort baking, a delectable fusion of sweet and nutty flavors.

Each slice tells a story of tradition, blending soft dates with robust walnuts in a symphony of textures.

The cake’s golden crumb whispers promises of indulgence, inviting you to savor every delightful morsel.

Rustic and unassuming, this dessert transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Brown sugar weaves its caramel magic, creating depth and warmth in every bite.

Simple yet sophisticated, the recipe celebrates the joy of home baking with effortless elegance.

Grab your mixing bowl and let this irresistible cake become the star of your next gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients Breakdown for Jamie Oliver Date and Walnut Cake

• Dates: Choose plump, soft dates without any crystallization for best natural sweetness.
• Margarine: Select a high-quality, unsalted margarine for smooth texture and consistent melting.
• Hot Water: Use freshly boiled water to help soften dates and activate ingredients.
• Baking Soda: Ensure fresh baking soda for proper leavening and chemical reaction.

• All-Purpose Flour: Pick unbleached flour for richer flavor and better cake structure.
• Brown Sugar: Select dark brown sugar for deeper caramel-like undertones.
• Chopped Walnuts: Use fresh, crunchy walnuts with no rancid smell for robust nutty flavor.

• Egg: Pick large, room temperature eggs for smoother batter integration.
• Parchment Paper: Use unbleached, non-stick parchment for easy cake removal.
• Baking Pan: Choose a sturdy, standard loaf pan for even heat distribution.

Tools You’ll Need for Jamie Oliver Date and Walnut Cake

• Mixing Bowls: Two medium-sized bowls for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for accurate flour and sugar measurements.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps precisely add baking soda and other small quantities.
• 9×5 Inch Loaf Pan: Creates the perfect cake shape.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Large Spoon or Spatula: Great for gently folding ingredients together.
• Oven: Needed for baking the date cake at the right temperature.

Directions to Bake Jamie Oliver Date and Walnut Cake

• Blend Date Base

Mix chopped dates, margarine, hot water, and baking soda in a bowl. Stir until margarine dissolves and dates become soft. Allow the mixture to rest and cool for half an hour at room temperature.

• Prepare Baking Station

Heat oven to 325°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, covering all sides to prevent sticking during baking.

• Create Dry Ingredient Fusion

Combine flour, brown sugar, and walnuts in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until ingredients are evenly distributed and well blended.

• Merge Cake Components

Pour flour mixture into cooled date base. Gently fold ingredients together. Add an egg and beat until batter becomes smooth and consistent.

• Bake and Cool

Pour batter into prepared pan. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 60-75 minutes. Test cake’s readiness by inserting a toothpick into the center – a clean toothpick signals the cake is fully cooked. Let cake cool completely before cutting into slices.

How to Adjust Jamie Oliver Date and Walnut Cake to Taste

• Boost Date Cake Success: Expert Baking Tricks
• Moisture Magic: Add an extra tablespoon of hot water if batter seems dry, ensuring a tender, soft crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Nut Lover's Twist: Toast walnuts before chopping to intensify their rich, nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Storage Secrets: Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this delectable date cake accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Jamie Oliver Date and Walnut Cake at Its Best

• Serve Warm with Creamy Companions: Pair freshly sliced date walnut cake with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Create Elegant Breakfast Moments: Slice the cake into thin pieces and serve alongside morning coffee or tea, transforming an ordinary breakfast into a special treat.
• Dress Up for Afternoon Gatherings: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and arrange on a beautiful platter, perfect for sharing with friends during casual afternoon tea or social gatherings.
• Pack for Portable Delights: Cut into individual squares and wrap in parchment paper for a convenient snack during picnics, road trips, or workplace lunch breaks.

Jamie Oliver Date and Walnut Cake: Storage and Leftovers

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store this date walnut cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Refrigerate for Extended Enjoyment: Extend the cake's life by refrigerating for up to 7 days. Seal in a sealed container to lock in flavor and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freeze for Future Cravings: Slice cake before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture and taste.
• Serving Temperature Sweet Spot: Enjoy cake slightly warmed for maximum flavor. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to bring to room temperature. A quick 10-second microwave zap can revive its soft, tender crumb.

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s date and walnut cake blends traditional British baking with robust flavors from sweet dates and crunchy walnuts. Moist crumb and rich caramel notes make this dessert a comforting companion for afternoon tea or casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) self-rising flour
• 6 oz (170 g) brown sugar
• 4 oz (113 g) chopped dates (pitted)
• 2 oz (57 g) chopped walnuts
• 2 oz (57 g) margarine
• 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda

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Instructions

1. Date Preparation: Combine chopped dates, margarine, boiling water, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Stir until ingredients meld into a smooth, soft mixture. Let the mixture rest and cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and integrate.
2. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy cake removal and preventing sticking.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Blend all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, and roughly chopped walnuts in a separate bowl. Toss ingredients until evenly distributed, creating a textured dry mixture.
4. Batter Assembly: Fold the flour-walnut mixture into the cooled date mixture, stirring carefully to create a uniform batter. Incorporate the lightly beaten egg, mixing thoroughly until ingredients are completely integrated with no dry pockets remaining.
5. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 60-75 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. When the toothpick comes out clean, remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Soak Dates Strategically: Allow dates to rest and cool for precisely 30 minutes to develop rich, deep flavor and ensure perfect moisture absorption.
• Prepare Pan Meticulously: Use parchment paper with extra overhang to guarantee easy cake removal and prevent stubborn sticking.
• Check Baking Precisely: Test cake doneness with toothpick method, ensuring no wet batter remains in the center for a perfectly moist texture.
• Temperature Matters: Maintain consistent 325°F oven temperature to achieve even baking and prevent burning or undercooking of the delicate cake.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Uk

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg