I would like to start off by saying, I am not sure how this cake got it’s name… It has been a family recipe for decades and it was passed down to me with this name, and I chose not to question it, haha!
Thankfully, this is easily one of my favorite cakes of all time.
Chewy dates, crunchy walnuts, and gooey chocolate chips; need I say more?!
Mother-in-Law Date Cake
I love this recipe, a lot. I've been coming back to it for over 2 decades; and I never change a thing. It reminds me of family and home.The flavors in this cake are so rich and satisfying. The combination of dates, crunchy walnuts, and gooey chocolate chips give this simple-to-make cake so much depth and nuance. Bon Appétit!
Ingredients
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup boiled water
- 1 cup chopped dates (I prefer Medjool dates)
- 3/4 cup butter or shortening
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (typically 1 package)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Grease and flour a round 8-9 1/2 inch cake pan (or 9×13-inch baking dish).
- In a small bowl, stir baking soda into boiled water. Add the chopped dates and set aside.
- Whip the butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and whip. Add dates and gently stir until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the date mixture and stir until combined.
- Pour batter into the greased pan.
- In a separate bowl, combine the chocolate chips, 1/4 cup sugar, and chopped walnuts. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
