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Date and Walnut Traybake Cake

Date and Walnut Traybake Cake

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free self-raising flour is used)

Description

This Date and Walnut Traybake Cake is a comforting, moist, and nutty dessert that combines juicy dates and crunchy walnuts for a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Easy to bake with simple ingredients, it’s ideal for casual gatherings, afternoon tea, or a family treat, offering long-lasting freshness and vibrant flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 225g self-raising flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 150g brown sugar

Wet Ingredients

  • 175g chopped Medjool or Deglet Noor dates
  • 250ml boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 100g melted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • 100g chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Dates and Walnut Mixture: Chop the dates finely and pour over boiling water mixed with lemon juice. Let them soak while you prepare the batter; this softens the dates and enhances their flavor. Roughly chop walnuts and set aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together self-raising flour, baking soda, and brown sugar. This ensures there are no lumps and helps the traybake rise evenly during baking.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in melted butter and vanilla extract. Once mixed thoroughly, add the soaked dates along with the water they were soaked in, blending well.
  4. Bring Wet and Dry Together: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb. Fold in the walnuts last to evenly distribute the crunch.
  5. Bake the Traybake: Pour the batter into a lined traybake tin and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 30-35 minutes. The cake is done when a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool and Slice: Allow the traybake to cool completely in the tin before slicing into squares or rectangles. Cooling helps the cake set and makes cutting cleaner.

Notes

  • Soak dates thoroughly using hot water with lemon juice to soften them and blend flavors better.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and an even bake.
  • Do not overmix the batter; folding gently maintains a light, moist texture.
  • Use fresh baking soda to ensure a good rise and avoid off-flavors.
  • Check for doneness early; oven temperatures vary so start testing your cake after 25 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: date cake, walnut cake, traybake, moist cake, nutty dessert, easy bake, gluten-free option, teatime cake

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Find it online: https://dishesbyme.com/date-and-walnut-traybake-cake/