This Date Cake with Toffee Sauce is a deliciously soft and moist cake that’s packed with naturally sweet, sticky dates. The cake is incredibly tender, with a caramel-like flavor, and it’s paired with a rich toffee sauce that soaks beautifully into the warm cake. Perfect for dessert lovers who enjoy a combination of spongy cake and indulgent, sticky sweetness, this recipe will surely become a favorite for cozy nights or holiday gatherings.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients
For the Date Cake:

• 2 cups (9 oz) pitted Medjool dates (about 15-16 dates)

• 1¼ cups (300 ml) boiling milk or water

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature

• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Toffee Sauce:

• 4 tbsp (57 g) unsalted butter

• ⅔ cup (160 ml) heavy cream

• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp salt

Directions

1. Make the Date Paste: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line the bottom of a 9-inch springform or 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper. Place chopped dates into a bowl and sprinkle with baking soda. Pour boiling water or milk over the dates and cover with a tea towel. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, mix the dates and milk into a paste using a stand mixer or food processor. Set the paste aside.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the date paste, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until combined. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.

3. Bake the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes.

4. Make the Toffee Sauce: In a saucepan, combine butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar over medium-high heat. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.

5. Assemble the Cake: Poke holes in the top of the warm cake using a toothpick or fork. Pour half of the toffee sauce over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Let the cake soak for another 20-30 minutes.

6. Serve: Transfer the cake to a serving plate. Top with more toffee sauce and enjoy with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Nutrients

• Calories: 350-400 kcal per slice

• Fat: 20g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

• Carbohydrates: 45g

  • Fiber: 5g

  • Sugar: 30g

• Protein: 3g

• Cholesterol: 55mg

• Sodium: 180mg

• Potassium: 300mg

• Calcium: 6% DV

• Iron: 8% DV

The Magic of Dates in Desserts

Dates are often used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts, prized for their natural sweetness and complex flavor. Medjool dates, in particular, are larger and more tender than other varieties, with a rich, honey-like flavor that adds depth to baked goods. When incorporated into a cake, dates not only provide sweetness but also contribute to the cake’s moist texture. The natural sugars in dates caramelize as they cook, enriching the cake with a flavor that rivals traditional sugar-based sweeteners.

In this recipe, the dates are softened by boiling milk or water, which allows them to break down into a paste. This paste becomes the foundation of the cake, imbuing it with the sweet, slightly smoky flavor of the dates. The dates’ natural moisture keeps the cake tender and spongy, ensuring each bite is soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

The Role of Baking Soda in the Cake

Baking soda plays a crucial role in the Date Cake, helping to create a light, fluffy texture. When combined with the acidic properties of the dates and the liquid ingredients, baking soda produces carbon dioxide, which causes the cake to rise. This chemical reaction ensures that the cake is airy and not dense, allowing the dates to infuse the cake without overwhelming its texture. The result is a cake that is tender and soft with a delightful crumb.

Additionally, the baking soda helps to balance the sweetness of the dates. Without it, the cake could become too dense or overly sweet. By using baking soda, the cake maintains its lightness and provides the perfect balance between the rich toffee sauce and the earthy sweetness of the dates.

Toffee Sauce: A Decadent Finish

The toffee sauce is what truly elevates this cake, making it a luxurious dessert. Made from a simple combination of butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar, the toffee sauce adds richness and indulgence to the Date Cake. As the butter and sugar melt together, they create a smooth, velvety sauce with a deep caramel flavor. The heavy cream contributes to the sauce’s creamy texture, allowing it to soak beautifully into the warm cake, infusing it with a luscious sweetness.

The addition of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt enhances the depth of the toffee sauce, bringing out the caramel notes and balancing the sweetness. When poured over the cake, the sauce seeps into the holes, creating pockets of sticky toffee goodness that soak into the tender cake, making each bite irresistible. The result is a dessert that’s rich, sweet, and satisfying, perfect for any occasion.

The Baking Process: Creating a Perfect Date Cake

Baking the Date Cake is a simple process, but achieving the perfect texture and flavor requires attention to detail. The cake batter is made by combining the date paste with butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. The dry ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, are added gradually to the wet ingredients to form a smooth batter.

It’s essential to bake the cake at the correct temperature (350°F or 177°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The cake should have a golden-brown crust and a slightly domed top. Once baked, the cake needs to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to set and the texture to firm up slightly.

During this resting period, the toffee sauce can be prepared. The sauce should be simmered for 2-3 minutes to allow the sugar to melt and the flavors to meld together. Once the sauce is ready, it’s time to assemble the cake by poking holes in the top and pouring the sauce over it, allowing it to soak into the warm cake.

Serving Suggestions

Date Cake with Toffee Sauce is delicious on its own, but it can be enhanced with a variety of accompaniments. For an extra touch of indulgence, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The cold creaminess of the ice cream contrasts perfectly with the warm, sticky cake, creating a delightful balance of temperatures and textures.

If you’re serving the cake as part of a larger meal, it pairs beautifully with a light fruit salad or a simple green salad to cut through the richness of the dessert. For a more festive occasion, try serving it with a drizzle of extra toffee sauce and a sprinkle of crushed nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts, for added texture and flavor.

This cake also makes an excellent dessert for holiday gatherings or special occasions. Its rich, comforting flavor and warm, sticky texture make it perfect for cozy winter nights or as a festive centerpiece for a holiday meal.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Date Cake with Toffee Sauce, storing it is easy. Allow the cake to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. The cake will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you prefer your cake warm, simply reheat it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a low oven.

To keep the toffee sauce from hardening, store it in a separate container and reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving. You can also freeze the cake for longer storage. To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired.

The Versatility of Date Cake with Toffee Sauce

Date Cake with Toffee Sauce is a versatile dessert that can be adapted to suit different preferences. While the combination of dates and toffee is a classic, you can experiment with adding other ingredients to customize the cake. For example, a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the cake batter can add a warm, aromatic depth, while adding chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, to the batter or as a topping can introduce a satisfying crunch.

The toffee sauce can also be customized by adjusting the sweetness or adding a splash of rum or vanilla for extra flavor. Whether you enjoy it as-is or with a few creative twists, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and become a staple in your dessert repertoire.

Conclusion

Date Cake with Toffee Sauce is a rich and indulgent dessert that combines the earthy sweetness of dates with the creamy, caramel-like richness of toffee sauce. The tender, moist cake is complemented by the sticky sauce that soaks into every bite, making it an unforgettable treat. Whether served on its own or paired with ice cream or whipped cream, this dessert is perfect for cozy nights, holiday celebrations, or any time you crave a comforting, flavorful treat. Simple to make yet full of decadent flavor, Date Cake with Toffee Sauce is sure to become a favorite in your collection of dessert recipes.