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Date, Walnut, and Orange Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 675 reviews

This Date, Walnut, and Orange Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert combining the natural sweetness of dates, the crunch of walnuts, and the bright citrus notes of fresh orange. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and topped with a tangy orange glaze, this cake offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes, ideal for any occasion or afternoon tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 220 g all-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 115 g unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup)
  • 150 g brown sugar, packed (3/4 cup)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 ml vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
  • 120 ml buttermilk (1/2 cup)
  • 150 g chopped dates (about 1 cup)
  • 100 g chopped walnuts (about 3/4 cup)
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • Juice of 1 large orange (about 60 ml / 1/4 cup)

Orange Glaze

  • 150 g powdered sugar (1 1/4 cups), sifted
  • 45 ml fresh orange juice (3 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional for extra zing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan to prevent sticking during baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure good incorporation. Stir in the vanilla extract and the zest of one large orange for added citrus flavor.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until all ingredients are combined to avoid overmixing.
  6. Fold in Dates and Walnuts: Gently fold in the chopped dates and walnuts to evenly distribute them throughout the batter without breaking them down.
  7. Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack to set the structure before glazing.
  9. Prepare Orange Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and optional orange zest until the glaze reaches a smooth and pourable consistency. Adjust the thickness by adding more juice or powdered sugar if needed.
  10. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the cooled cake. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving to enjoy the full flavor experience.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for better creaming with the sugar.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
  • Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor in both the batter and glaze.
  • The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • For a nuttier texture, toast the walnuts lightly before chopping and adding to the batter.

Keywords: Date cake, Walnut cake, Orange cake, Spiced cake, Citrus glaze, Moist cake, Dessert cake

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/date-walnut-and-orange-cake-recipe/