Date and Walnut Cake with a touch of Chocolate ☺

Rains ! Just the perfect time to enjoy a cuppa coffee or a Masala Chai with a huge slice of rich cake to dunk in ( Only If you arent dieting ofcourse ). And since it pours generously in Lonavla , i am usually in a mood to bake a cake .

This time i dint want to try the usual plain cakes. I had this recipe stored with me for over an year . Its by Bakingsutra.com . I have had walnut stuffed dates dipped in chocolate before. So i was quite sure that this combination would work perfectly in a cake too .

I have laready made this cake twice and plan to make it agin real soon . SO give it a try if you are a date lover . And try if you arent . Trust me you will love it 🙂

 

You need:

All ingredients should be at room temperature.

180 gms of dates , pitted , chopped.

250 ml of Boiling water.

1 tsp Baking soda.

225 gms Plain flour.

1 ½ tbsp Cocoa powder, unsweetened.

½ tsp Baking powder.

250 gms Butter , Amul is good.

200 gms Castor sugar.

3 eggs,almost same size.

1 tsp Vanilla extract.

20-25 walnuts, chopped.

125 gms of Dark Chocolate chips

How to :

Preheat oven at 180 degree celcius. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Add boiling water to the chopped dates along with the baking soda. Let it sit for 20 mins or so . It will soften . Now put all of it into a mixer and blend it smooth.

Sift the flour along with the cocoa powder and baking powder .

In a large bowl, Cream the butter until light . Add sugar 2 tbsps at a time and beat until pale and fluffy .

Add the eggs , one at a time. And the Vanilla. Mix till combined well.

Now , dump the electric beater and take a spatula .

Slowly fold in the pureed dates and the flour mixture alternately into the butter mixture.

Do not over mix . Just until everything is combined.

Spoon the mixture into the lined tin .

Sprinkle chopped walnuts and dark chocolate chips over it.

Bake for 50-60 mins or until done .

Cool it on a wire rack before demoulding.

 

 

This cake is sweet on its own , that’s why dark chocolate chips are used . They give a beautiful flavor to the cake .

If you wish so, you can used milk chocolate chips too , but you will have to reduce the amount of sugar.

This cake can be made with whole wheat flour too . But since it is more absorbing you need to add ½ cup of milk or so to adjust the consistency.

Roasted almonds is also a good option if walnuts aren’t your choice.

It takes lesser time to bake if the pan is broader .

 

Serve it with a Cup of Hot Coffee .

Bon Appetit !