Recipe: Chocolate Date Cake

This is one of those recipes my kids love to make, as they love chopping the dates, tasting the chocolate chips and licking the bowl.

The end result is a moist and fluffy chocolate cake with a decadent topping. You only need a small square for it to satisfy that chocolate craving!

A great recipe for the weekend, for a party or gathering, or just to enjoy with family and friends.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups water

• 225g dried dates, pitted and chopped

• 1 ¾ teaspoons baking soda

• 115g butter

• 260g plain flour

• 60g unsweetened cocoa

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 200g granulated sugar

• 2 eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 200g dark chocolate chips

• 125g walnuts, coarsely chopped

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC.

2. Line a 22x33 cm baking tray with baking paper and set aside.

3. Boil the water and then pour into a small bowl with the dates and 1 tsp of the baking soda. Set aside to cool until needed.

4. Sift flour, cocoa, remaining ¾ tsp baking soda, and salt over a bowl and set aside.

5. Beat together the sugar and butter for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

6. Beat on high for 1 minute, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

7. Add vanilla and beat for 2 mins.

8. Add the flour mixture and beat on low until well combined.

9. Add the cooled date mixture and continue to beat for 30 seconds with the mixer and then thoroughly mix with a spatula.

10. Pour evenly into prepared pan.

11. Bake for about 20 minutes, until cake starts to dry and rises.

12. Take out of the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips on top, then the walnuts and return to the oven to bake for another 20 to 25 more minutes until a skewer comes out clean.

13. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool on a rack, about 30 to 40 minutes.

14. Refrigerate cake at least 20 minutes before serving and cut into little squares to serve. Be warned this is a big recipe and makes a LOT of cake!

ENJOY!!!

If you’re looking for recipe inspiration, then head over to our recipe page for more delicious healthy recipes.