Description
Rich date coffee loaf cake blends warm spices and deep espresso notes for a sophisticated dessert experience. Nutty walnuts and glossy glaze elevate this indulgent treat you’ll savor with each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Binding and Leavening Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and meticulously coat a 9×5 inch loaf pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- Combine chopped dates with hot coffee and baking soda in a small bowl, allowing the mixture to steep and soften for 10 minutes, which helps intensify the date’s natural sweetness.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, creating a light texture for the cake.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and fully integrated.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl, then gently fold into the creamed mixture to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
- Fold the softened date mixture and crunchy walnuts into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even bake.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure uniform cooking, and test doneness by inserting a toothpick that comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, whisk powdered sugar with freshly brewed espresso and vanilla extract to create a glossy, rich glaze.
- Remove cake from oven and let rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize its structure.
- Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack and generously drizzle with the espresso glaze while still warm.
- Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving this decadent coffee-infused treat.
Notes
- Select Medjool dates for maximum moisture and sweetness, ensuring a tender, rich cake texture.
- Toast walnuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Allow date-coffee mixture to sit exactly 10 minutes to soften dates and create a smooth, integrated ingredient base.
- Check cake doneness early by inserting toothpick at 45 minutes to prevent potential over-baking and dryness.
- Experiment with alternative coffee types like cold brew or dark roast for variations in depth and intensity of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 4.5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg