Espresso Date Cake with Walnuts Recipe
This Espresso Date Cake with Walnuts is a moist, flavorful dessert combining rich espresso, sweet dates, and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for coffee lovers and those who enjoy a unique blend of warm spices and deep flavors, this cake offers a delightful balance of sweetness and nuttiness with a tender crumb.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 180ml (3/4 cup) freshly brewed hot espresso
- 2 large eggs
- 100g (1/2 cup) coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 80ml (1/3 cup) olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 120g (1 cup) all-purpose flour or gluten-free blend
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Other Ingredients
- 150g (1 cup) chopped pitted dates
- 80g (2/3 cup) chopped walnuts, plus extra for topping
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease or line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake pan to prevent sticking.
- Soak Dates: Combine chopped dates and hot espresso in a bowl. Stir in baking soda and let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes. This softens the dates and activates the baking soda for leavening.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until frothy and pale. Add olive oil and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk to incorporate fully.
- Combine Wet Mixtures: Add the date-espresso mixture to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. The dates will add moisture and sweetness to the batter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gently stir the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender. Fold in the chopped walnuts carefully.
- Prepare to Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and sprinkle extra walnuts on top for added texture and appearance.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, ensuring the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents sogginess and helps the texture set.
Notes
- You can substitute olive oil with melted butter for a richer taste.
- Use coconut sugar for a more caramel-like flavor and a paleo-friendly option.
- For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dates should be finely chopped to ensure even moisture distribution.
- Espresso can be replaced with strong brewed coffee if preferred.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: espresso cake, date cake, walnut cake, coffee cake, moist cake, easy dessert, gluten-free option