• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Gift of Hospitality logo

  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Recipes » Cakes and Pies » Old Fashioned Date Cake

    Old Fashioned Date Cake

    Published: Jan 10, 2023 by Kate Shungu · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    handwritten recipe for date cake on lined notebook paper and a white cake pan filled with date cake, topped with chopped walnuts.
    handwritten recipe for date cake on lined notebook paper and a white cake pan filled with date cake, topped with chopped walnuts.
    white cake pan of date cake with walnuts.
    slice of old fashioned date cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top, sitting on a white plate.
    white cake pan of date cake with walnuts.

    Grandma’s recipe for Old Fashioned Date Cake with walnuts and chocolate chips is moist and tender. It’s perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

    date cake in a white casserole dish next to a small bowl of dates and two oranges.

    This Old Fashioned Date Cake recipe comes straight from Grandma’s recipe book (where the recipes for Date Nut Bread and her Sour Cream Coffee Cake also reside).

    It has a caramel-like sweetness, courtesy of the dates. It’s also moist, tender, and chock-full of chocolate chips and walnuts.

    Grandma’s recipe has two stand-out ingredients: cocoa powder and orange zest. The cocoa powder (just one tablespoon of it) amps up the chocolate flavor, and the orange zest perfectly complements the chocolate.

    You can, of course, omit the orange zest, if that’s how you remember Date Cake. But I personally love how it makes this cake just a little more interesting.

    Here’s a peek at Grandma’s handwritten recipe, which she calls “Choco-Date Cake”.

    handwritten recipe for date cake on lined paper in an old black recipe binder.

    The full recipe is typed below for easier reading!

    This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Gift of Hospitality at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these links.

    Jump to:
    • Top tips
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Old Fashioned Date Cake
    • Can I make date cake ahead?
    • Variations
    • Serving tips
    • How to store and freeze Date Cake
    • More old fashioned cakes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Related recipes

    Top tips

    • You can use either pre-chopped dates (such as from Sunsweet) or chop the dates yourself. Grandma definitely used the pre-chopped version!
    • Don’t have an orange to zest? You can just leave it out.
    • Take care not to over mix the cake, so it stays tender. Mix everything just until combined.

    Ingredients

    dates, flour, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients on a white table.
    • You can either buy pre-chopped dried dates (to make it extra easy) or chop the dates yourself. Dried dates are typically the deglet noor variety, or might just be labeled “dates”—avoid medjool dates for this recipe.
    • Grandma’s recipe called for shortening, but I used butter. Feel free to use either.
    • Orange zest adds some extra flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate chips and the caramel flavor from the dates.
    • Mix-ins include chocolate chips and walnuts. Use pecans if you prefer.

    How to make Old Fashioned Date Cake

    Start by combining the dates and baking soda in a small bowl. Pour the boiling water over the top.

    chopped dates soaking in water and baking soda in a white bowl.

    Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes for the dates to soften.

    Meanwhile, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together.

    flour mixture in a white bowl with a red whisk.

    In another bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest, and beat until combined. (This is the microplane that I use for the orange zest.)

    Add half of the flour mixture and half of the date mixture (including the water). Stir to combine. Add the remaining flour mixture and date mixture.

    Stir in half of the chocolate chips.

    brown cake batter in a metal bowl.

    Pour the date cake batter into a greased 13×9 inch pan. Top with the chopped walnuts and the remaining chocolate chips.

    unbaked date cake batter in a white 13x9 inch cake pan, topped with chocolate chips and walnuts.

    Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

    date cake topped with walnuts in a white cake pan.

    Can I make date cake ahead?

    You can make Old Fashioned Date Cake up to two days in advance of serving it. Cool it completely, cover tightly, and store at room temperature. After two days, the cake will start to dry out a bit (though it’ll still be delicious).

    Variations

    Customize your date cake with one of these ideas!

    • Use pecans in place of the walnuts.
    • Omit the orange zest if you’d like.
    • Substitute shortening for the butter (this is what Grandma did).
    • Make the cake in two 8×8 inch pans. Freeze one for later. Decrease the cooking time by 5–8 minutes if you choose this option.
    slice of old fashioned date cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top, sitting on a white plate.

    Serving tips

    Date Cake is delicious at room temperature OR warm. You can microwave slices for 10–15 seconds to warm them up before serving.

    I personally LOVE a dollop of homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip on top.

    How to store and freeze Date Cake

    Store this Old Fashioned Date Cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also store it in the refrigerator.

    Date Cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Tightly wrap slices of the cake in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and slide into a resealable freezer bag before freezing.

    pan of old fashioned date cake in a white dish, topped with chopped nuts and chocolate chips.

    More old fashioned cakes

    • Sock It To Me Cake
    • Old Fashioned Banana Cake (with cream cheese frosting!)
    • Easy Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
    • Coconut Poke Cake
    • Cherry Dump Cake
    • Jell-O Poke Cake
    • Old Fashioned Orange Cake

    Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!

    cup of ambrosia and slice of banana cake.

    📖 Recipe

    old fashioned date cake topped with walnuts in a white casserole dish.

    Old Fashioned Date Cake

    Published by Kate
    This old fashioned recipe for Date Cake is packed with walnuts and chocolate chips, plus the caramel-like sweetness from the dates.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 315 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1¼ cup dates chopped
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 1¾ cup flour
    • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • Zest of 1 orange about 2 teaspoons
    • 1 cup chocolate chips divided
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 inch pan or 12×8 inch pan with cooking spray.
    • Place the dates and baking soda in a heat-proof bowl. Pour the boiling water over the top and set aside for 15 minutes to cool.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest, and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add half of the flour mixture, and mix until combined. Add half of the date/water mixture, and mix. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and remaining date/water mixture.
    • Stir in half of the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips and the walnuts.
    • Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

    Notes

    I like serving the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or Cool Whip on top.
    Variations: you can omit the orange zest, if you’d like. You can also substitute pecans for the walnuts. Grandma used shortening instead of butter—do what you prefer! 
    Store the cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cake, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 229mgPotassium: 189mgFiber: 2gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 388IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword date cake
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @giftofhospitality and let me know how you liked it!

    Related recipes

    • Grandma’s Date Nut Bread
    • Old Fashioned Banana Cake
    • Coconut Poke Cake
    • Jell-O Poke Cake
    « Beef Stroganoff with Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Taco Casserole with Fritos »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    kate

    About Kate

    I’m a believer, wife, mom, and big fan of old cookbooks. I live in Chicago with my husband and two young sons. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time! Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Kate from Gift of HospitalityI’m Kate. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time. Learn more here
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Winter Recipes

    bowl of potato soup topped with chopped bacon and parsley.

    Old Fashioned Potato Soup

    beef stroganoff with mushrooms on a bed of egg noodles on a white plate.

    Beef Stroganoff with Cream of Mushroom Soup

    cheesy mashed potatoes in a green bowl, topped with chives and shredded cheddar.

    Extra Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    stuffed green pepper in a gray casserole dish with other stuffed bell peppers.

    Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

    old fashioned sloppy joes meat on a brioche bun with pickles.

    Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes

    tuna noodle casserole with potato chips in a white dish.

    Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole

    More Winter Recipes Here....

    Most Popular Recipes

    slice of sausage and egg casserole on a white plate.

    Overnight Sausage and Egg Casserole

    asian cabbage salad in a blue and white decorative bowl.

    Asian Cabbage Salad

    crock pot pork chops in sauce on a white oval platter.

    Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Soup

    slice of ding dong cake in a cake pan with more ding dong cake in the pan.

    Easy Ding Dong Cake

    french toast casserole in a white casserole dish.

    Overnight French Toast Casserole

    ritz cracker sandwiches stacked on a white platter

    RITZ® Crackers Party Sandwiches

    Desserts of the Decades

    Get vintage dessert recipes from throughout the decades, straight to your inbox!

    Web Stories

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Gift of Hospitality © 2022