Get ready to bake a delightful Orange Date Nut Cake! This rich, moist cake combines the tangy flavor of oranges with the sweetness of dates and the crunchy goodness of pecans. It's the perfect treat for any gathering or to simply satisfy your sweet tooth.
Photos of Orange Date Nut Cake Recipe
Dates and pecans may not be a staple in your pantry but they play a crucial role in this recipe. Dates add a unique, natural sweetness and a chewy texture, while pecans lend a rich, buttery flavor. When shopping, look for pitted dates to save on prep time and raw pecans which will toast beautifully while the cake bakes.
Orange Date Nut Cake Ingredients
Butter: Adds a creamy, rich flavor.
White sugar: Sweetens the cake.
Eggs: Acts as a binding agent.
Self-rising flour: Provides structure and helps the cake rise.
Milk: Adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors.
Lemon extract: Adds a hint of citrus.
Dates: Gives natural sweetness and texture.
Pecans: Contributes a rich, nutty flavor.
Orange juice: Imparts tangy citrus flavor.
Confectioners' sugar: Sweetens the orange syrup and gives it a smoother consistency.
One reader, Gwendolyn Garber says:
This orange date nut cake recipe is a game-changer! The combination of flavors is simply divine. The cake is moist, and the orange syrup adds a delightful citrusy kick. It's a hit with my family and friends. I highly recommend trying this recipe for a delightful treat!
Key Techniques for Orange Date Nut Cake Recipe
How to prepare the orange syrup: Combine the orange juice and confectioners sugar in a medium bowl and mix until smooth.
How to prepare the cake: Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Alternate adding the flour and milk to the egg mixture, then mix in the vanilla and lemon flavorings. Fold in the nuts and dates, then pour the batter into the prepared tube pan.
How to bake the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, then bake the cake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How to finish the cake: After removing the cake from the oven, immediately pour the orange syrup over the cake. Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then remove it from the pan. Allow the cake to stand upside-down overnight, then turn it over and serve.
How To Make Orange Date Nut Cake
Enjoy a plate of this rich and moist nut cake, loaded with dates and pecans, and soaked in a zesty orange syrup, for a decadent dessert!
Serves:
Ingredients
For Cake:
- 1cupbutter,softened
- 2cupswhite sugar
- 6eggs
- 3⅓cupsself-rising flour
- 1cupmilk
- 1tbspvanilla extract
- 1tbsplemon extract
- 2cupsdates,pitted, chopped
- 2cupspecans,chopped
For Orange Syrup:
- 2cupsorange juice
- 3½cupsconfectioners’ sugar
Instructions
Orange Syrup:
-
In a medium bowl, combine the orange juice and confectioners sugar. Mix until smooth.
Cake:
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch tube pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease the paper.
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Dredge the dates and nuts in the flour and set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well.
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Add flour to the egg mixture, alternating with milk, and mix well. Add vanilla and lemon flavorings. Fold in the nuts and dates.
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Pour the batter into the tube pan. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
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Remove from oven and pour orange syrup over the cake immediately. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then remove from pan.
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Let stand upside-down overnight, then turn over and serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 691.52kcal
- Fat: 26.06g
- Saturated Fat: 10.16g
- Trans Fat: 0.54g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.03g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.07g
- Carbohydrates: 111.51g
- Fiber: 4.41g
- Sugar: 83.92g
- Protein: 8.08g
- Cholesterol: 105.16mg
- Sodium: 392.17mg
- Calcium: 169.80mg
- Potassium: 445.64mg
- Iron: 2.48mg
- Vitamin A: 154.64µg
- Vitamin C: 18.37mg
Helpful Technique for Perfecting This Cake Recipe
When preparing the orange syrup, it's important to add the confectioners' sugar gradually to the orange juice while continuously stirring. This will help to prevent the formation of lumps and ensure a smooth, well-incorporated syrup. Additionally, when adding the flour to the egg mixture, be sure to do so in small increments. This will help to prevent the batter from becoming too thick and will result in a lighter, more tender cake. Lastly, when folding in the dates and pecans, be gentle to avoid deflating the batter. This will ensure your cake has a nice, even distribution of fruit and nuts throughout.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Cake Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the orange syrup and chop the dates and nuts the day before to save time on the day of baking.
Organize ingredients: Measure and organize all the ingredients before starting to streamline the baking process.
Efficient workspace: Keep your work area clean and organized to work more efficiently.
Set a timer: Use a timer to keep track of baking time and avoid overcooking the cake.
Multi-task: While the cake is baking, clean up the kitchen or prepare other dishes to make the most of your time.
Substitute Ingredients For Orange Date Nut Cake Recipe
- butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar richness and flavor to the cake while also adding a hint of coconut flavor.
- white sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement for white sugar and adds a subtle caramel-like flavor to the cake.
- self-rising flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour + baking powder + salt: To make your own self-rising flour, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt for every cup of self-rising flour needed in the recipe.
- milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative, adding a slightly nutty flavor to the cake.
- vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract can provide a warm, sweet flavor similar to vanilla, adding a unique twist to the cake.
- lemon extract - Substitute with orange extract: Orange extract can bring a citrusy flavor to the cake, complementing the other ingredients.
- dates - Substitute with dried figs: Dried figs can offer a similar chewy texture and natural sweetness to the cake, with a slightly different flavor profile.
- pecans - Substitute with walnuts: Walnuts can provide a similar nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the cake, complementing the other ingredients.
- orange juice - Substitute with tangerine juice: Tangerine juice can provide a similar citrusy flavor to the syrup, adding a unique twist to the cake.
- confectioners' sugar - Substitute with powdered coconut sugar: Powdered coconut sugar can be used as a substitute for confectioners' sugar, adding a hint of caramel flavor to the syrup.
Presentation Ideas for Serving This Cake
Elevate the cake on a pedestal: Place the orange date nut cake on a beautiful cake stand to give it a grand and elegant appearance.
Garnish with fresh orange slices and dates: Arrange fresh orange slices and whole dates around the base of the cake to add a pop of color and enhance the visual appeal.
Dust with powdered sugar: Lightly dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar to create a delicate and sophisticated finishing touch.
Drizzle with orange syrup: Artfully drizzle the orange syrup over the cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides for a stunning presentation.
Add a touch of edible gold leaf: For a luxurious touch, delicately place edible gold leaf on the cake to create a sense of opulence and refinement.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream: Accompany the cake with a dollop of freshly whipped cream on the side, adding a creamy and indulgent element to the presentation.
Sprinkle with chopped pecans: Sprinkle a handful of finely chopped pecans over the top of the cake for a rustic yet elegant texture and nutty flavor.
Surround with fresh orange zest: Scatter vibrant orange zest around the base of the cake to infuse the presentation with a burst of citrus aroma and visual appeal.
Display on a bed of fresh mint leaves: Present the cake on a bed of fresh mint leaves to add a touch of greenery and a refreshing fragrance to the overall display.
Serve with a side of orange sorbet: Accompany the cake with a small scoop of orange sorbet in a decorative dish to provide a refreshing and complementary palate cleanser.
Essential Tools Needed for Making This Cake
- Oven: You will need an oven to bake the cake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Tube pan: A 10-inch tube pan is required to bake the cake.
- Parchment paper: Use parchment paper to line the bottom of the tube pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Medium bowl: This will be used to combine the orange juice and confectioners' sugar for the orange syrup.
- Large bowl: A large bowl is needed to cream the butter and sugar, and to mix the cake batter.
- Spatula: A spatula will be useful for folding in the nuts and dates into the cake batter.
- Mixing spoon: Use a mixing spoon to mix the orange syrup until smooth.
- Measuring cups and spoons: These are essential for accurately measuring the ingredients for the cake and the orange syrup.
- Grease: You will need grease or non-stick spray to prepare the tube pan and parchment paper.
- Toothpick: A toothpick is used to check the doneness of the cake by inserting it into the center.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Orange Date Nut Cake
Allow the orange date nut cake to cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the cake soggy.
To store the cake at room temperature, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The cake will keep for up to 5 days at room temperature.
For longer storage, you can refrigerate the cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container. The cake will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
To freeze the orange date nut cake, first wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy the cake, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
If you prefer, you can also freeze individual slices of the cake. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. This allows you to thaw only the amount of cake you need at a time.
When thawing the orange date nut cake, be sure to keep it wrapped until it has reached room temperature to prevent it from drying out.
Tips for Reheating Leftover Orange Date Nut Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the leftover orange date nut cake in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Heat the cake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until it's warmed through. This method helps to retain the cake's moisture and prevent it from drying out.
If you prefer a quicker reheating method, you can use a microwave. Place a single slice of the orange date nut cake on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 20-30 seconds. If the cake isn't warm enough, continue heating it in 10-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the cake, as it may become rubbery or dry.
For a crispy exterior and a warm, soft interior, try reheating the orange date nut cake in a toaster oven. Cut the cake into slices and place them on a toaster oven tray. Heat the slices at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until they're warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.
If you want to add a touch of extra moisture to your leftover orange date nut cake, try steaming it. Fill a pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a simmer. Place the cake slice on a heatproof plate and set it on a steamer basket above the simmering water. Cover the pot and steam the cake for 3-5 minutes, or until it's warm and moist.
For a unique twist, try pan-frying your leftover orange date nut cake. Melt a small amount of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add a slice of the cake to the skillet and cook it for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until it's golden brown and warmed through. The butter will add a rich flavor and create a delightful crispy crust on the outside of the cake.
Interesting Trivia About Orange Date Nut Cake
The orange date nut cake recipe is a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of dates and the crunch of pecans, creating a rich and flavorful treat. This cake is a perfect choice for special occasions or gatherings, as its unique combination of flavors is sure to impress your guests. Additionally, the orange syrup adds a refreshing citrusy touch, enhancing the overall taste of the cake. Enjoy this delightful dessert with a cup of coffee or tea for a truly indulgent experience.
Budget-Friendly: Is This Cake Economical to Make at Home?
The cost-effectiveness of this orange date nut cake recipe is quite high. The ingredients are relatively affordable and commonly found in households. The combination of dates, pecans, and orange juice provides a rich and flavorful taste. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20, making it a budget-friendly dessert option. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9 out of 10, considering its taste, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness.
Is This Cake Recipe Healthy or Not So Much?
This orange date nut cake recipe is a delightful treat, but it's not the healthiest option due to several factors:
- The cake contains a significant amount of butter and sugar, which are high in calories and can contribute to weight gain and other health issues if consumed in excess.
- The use of self-rising flour, which typically contains added salt, can increase the sodium content of the cake.
- The orange syrup, made with confectioners' sugar, adds even more sugar to the already sweet cake.
However, there are some positive aspects to this recipe:
- The use of dates and pecans provides some dietary fiber, healthy fats, and essential nutrients.
- The cake incorporates eggs, which are a good source of protein and other nutrients.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of butter and sugar in the cake batter, or replace some of the butter with healthier alternatives like Greek yogurt or mashed avocado.
- Use whole wheat flour instead of self-rising flour to increase the fiber content and reduce the sodium.
- Decrease the amount of confectioners' sugar in the orange syrup, or replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Incorporate more fruits, such as grated orange zest or dried cranberries, to boost the nutritional value and add natural sweetness.
- Serve smaller portions of the cake and pair it with fresh fruit or a dollop of low-fat yogurt to create a more balanced dessert.
By making these adjustments, you can enjoy this orange date nut cake as an occasional indulgence while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Editor's Opinion on the Orange Date Nut Cake
This orange date nut cake recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of dates and pecans adds a rich, nutty taste and a satisfying crunch to the moist cake. The orange syrup infuses a bright citrusy sweetness, elevating the overall flavor profile. The use of self-rising flour simplifies the baking process, making this recipe accessible for both novice and experienced bakers. The cake's moist and tender crumb, coupled with the aromatic essence of vanilla and lemon, creates a truly indulgent treat. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a dessert centerpiece, this cake is sure to impress with its harmonious balance of sweet and tangy notes.
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Why trust this Orange Date Nut Cake Recipe:
This recipe is a delightful combination of orange juice and dates, providing a burst of natural sweetness and a rich, moist texture. The addition of pecans adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall taste and texture. The aromatic vanilla extract and lemon extract elevate the flavors, creating a harmonious blend. The orange syrup, made with freshly squeezed orange juice and confectioners' sugar, infuses the cake with a zesty, citrusy essence. With its carefully selected ingredients and detailed instructions, this recipe promises a delectable and trustworthy dessert experience.
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