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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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