Hi friends, I'm back with a tasty vegan date cake. Actually I came back from India in the last week of August itself, but did not feel like blogging all these days. The trip was mostly good except when my son fell very sick when swine flu was at peak there. Thankfully it was regular flu and he is fine now. I thought of meeting all the food bloggers in Chennai but couldn't organize it with an hectic schedule. Hope to make it at least the next time.
On a different note, ladies, do you think that your husband is not appreciative of your efforts you put in the home front? Doesn't he help you around the house? Then pack your bags immediately and fly to India (or anywhere) and stay there at least for a month and see (enjoy) the respect you get when you come back! Even the simplest thing you do will be noticed by your better half. I'm loving it!
I didn't bake much in the past 2 weeks but for the vegan chocolate cake for my mother-in-law's birthday (she came with us) and Shilpa's eggless date cake. The date cake has been in my to-bake list for quite sometime now. Somehow I didn't get a chance to bake it until recently.
We got a big pack of (Lion brand) seedless dates from India and I wanted to use it up. My son also has started going to school full time and I have to pack lunch for him. He usually eats some fruit or some healthy sweet after his lunch and dinner. So I decided to bake this cake.
If you tried this Vegan Date Cake recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
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Recipe
Vegan Date Cake
Ingredients
- 18 count dates
- ¾ cup soy milk
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
- 16 count almonds for decoration
Instructions
- Remove the seeds front he dates and soak it in warm milk overnight.
- The next day before baking grind it into a smooth paste along with the sugar adding some more water/milk if necessary.
- Preheat the oven at 350F/180C for 15 minutes. Grease well an 8x8 inch square baking pan with non stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. You may use a circle pan too. In a medium size bowl sift together the flour and baking soda and set aside.
- In a large bowl pour the dates paste. Mix in the oil and applesauce. Stir in the flour mixture little by little. Use a whisk to mix so that lumps won't form.
- Add the walnuts and mix well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, arrange the almonds in a pattern and bake for for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Transfer the pan to a wire cooling rack. Leave it for at least 10-15 minutes before you can remove the cake from the oven. Cool it completely for another 15-30 minutes before you can slice this decadent vegan date cake.
My Notes
- I wanted to try a vegan version because I was having some unsweetened soy milk at home. Sometimes soy milk (some brands) can leave an after taste. So I also added 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract which was not mentioned in the original recipe. You can also try flavoring it with cardamom powder.
- We had kept the dates in the refrigerator and it was very hard. So I soaked it in ¾th cup warm soy milk. I left it soaked for nearly 15-16 hours. Maybe that much soaking is not required but I didn't find time to bake it earlier. I blended it in my food processor with the required amount of sugar and while doing so felt that some more liquid might be necessary. So added another ¼ cup of soy milk (this is not mentioned in the original recipe).
- cup of oil is mentioned in the original recipe. Shilpa also mentions that she has tried baking the cake without oil and it turned out good as well, dense though. So I used ¼ cup vegetable oil and ¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce. Measured the oil in liquid measuring mug and the applesauce in dry measuring cup.
Taste & Texture
Nutrition
Rupa says
Hi Madhuram Welcome Back !! We definitely missed your blogging. Hey i am unable to locate the date recipe. pls help.
Thank you so much Rupa. I have given the link in two places (in eggless date cake and original recipe). Here it is:
http://www.aayisrecipes.com/2006/05/27/date-cake-eggless/
krystyna says
It is nice to see you again. Date cake looks delicious! Thanks for sharing! And I like your note about - husband: "Then pack your bags immediately and fly to India (or anywhere) and stay there at least for a month and see (enjoy) the respect you get when you come back! Even the simplest thing you do will be noticed by your better half". Good advice!
Thanks Krystyna.
jeni treehugger says
That Cake looks amazing - so moist and delicious. Will give this a go for sure.:)
Thanks Jeni.
Lubna Karim says
Welcome back...tip noted on getting attention....i think it really works....cake looks soft and moist...belated wishes to u r MIL.
Thanks Lubna.
Priya says
Nice to see your recipe after a long time..It does not look vegan from any angle..It looks so fluffy and moist, better than the cakes with egg. Did you like the taste of the cake with date and all??
Priya, it tasted absolutely good. My son loves it too.
Sweatha says
Welcome back Madhu,The cake looks greats and definitely I will be trying it with your suggestions/changes. Hearty Thanks for the wonderful comment on zucchini sticks.I was actually wondering where you were.Will be mailing soon.I had posted an whole wheat entry but I am not sure I mailed you.
Thanks Sweatha. I too have start working on the round up.
RedChillies says
Welcome back Madhuram and hope you had a good time in India. I hope your DS has recovered now completely.The cake as you said without a doubt turns very well.
Thanks RC.
nags says
the shape is perfect!! hope you had a good time in india despite son's illness. its always good to be back home, isn't it? 🙂
Yes, we had a good time. I was taken by surprise that my son bonded so well with all our relatives.
DK says
That's come out so yum looking - have made the cake umpteeth times myself too. I agree with soma ( i think it was her..) that your comment box goes haywire..its been happening for a while now - wanted to let you know but forgot.
Pass on my wishes to your mil...and while packing some for her trip back to India, mail me some too 😉
Will definitely Dhivi.
A&N says
I must say it looks perfect. And very healthy. Will be a great week night dessert at my place!
Next time I'm going to use whole wheat pastry flour instead of APF.
Maya says
Hi Madhu, glad to see you back and your delicious looking cake. I too came back from a vacation in India and was there in Pune when the swine flu started and the schools were all closed.
Maya, I too made a flying visit to Mumbai when it all started.
Pavani says
Welcome back Madhu. Date cake looks moist and delicious. I'm planning to make some of your dishes for the Tried and Tested event. You have a great blog and you definitely deserve to be showcased in events like that.
That's so kind of you Pavani. Thank you very much.
Priya says
Welcome back Madhu with a droolworthy dates cake,i agree with u concerning the better half, i got the book from amazon madhu, even i left a mail to u..thanks a lot for the book..
You're welcome Priya. I didn't check that mail ID. Just now saw your mail. Thanks.
Soma says
Welcome back! Date cake has been in my mind for so long,haven't got around making it yet. Ilike the almonds way better than frosting.
madhu, your comment box gets sliced on the right, so after a while i cannot see what i am typing.. don't know if it is only my browser.
I'll see what's happening with the comment box. Thanks Soma.
R Varalakshmi says
Hi Madhu
I hv been desparatly searching ur blog for new item. This cake looks awesome! Our belated birthday wishes for ur MIL! I think u hv become Mamiyar mechhiya Marumagal ! Keep blogging Madhu!
Thank you very much Chithi.
Cham says
I came back from India too, glad u had a great time. I totally agree with the husb part! It is just for a week or two 🙁
Love to grab a piece of cake!
Yes, I too agree with you Cham. It's short lived and better enjoy it while it lasts.
Parita says
This is on my to do list too from a long time 🙂
Cake looks gorgeous!
Anjali Damerla says
Hey..
Welcome back!! I was in India for 2 months this summer and had a wonderful time too. For me, luckily, kids kept good health and
enjoyed the Mumbai monsoon a lot 🙂
The cake looks wonderful.
Thanks Anjali. I too made a flying visit to Mumbai (just for 2 days) when swine flu started in Pune.
Mona says
Welcome back Madhu. The date cake looks super delish!
Thanks Mona.
Soumya says
Wonderful recipe! looks so yummy!
Thanks Soumya.