Description
Moist, deeply chocolatey cake naturally sweetened with dates—layered with rich frosting and perfect for celebrations or indulgent yet wholesome desserts.
Ingredients
1¼ cups dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup boiling water
½ tsp baking soda
1¼ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 large eggs
½ cup plain Greek yogurt or applesauce
½ cup melted coconut oil or butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free cream cheese)
¼ cup coconut oil or butter, softened
½ cup cocoa powder
½ cup date syrup or finely chopped soaked dates
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, soak chopped dates in boiling water with baking soda. Let sit 10 minutes, then blend or mash into a paste.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, yogurt or applesauce, melted oil, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in date paste until well combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide batter between prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat softened cream cheese and coconut oil until fluffy. Add cocoa powder, date syrup, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth and silky.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread with ⅓ of the frosting. Top with the second layer and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
- Chill cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Optionally, decorate with date slices or raspberries.
Notes
Use gluten-free flour for a GF version.
Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter for a vegan option.
Fold in chopped walnuts or almonds for texture.
Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder to enhance chocolate flavor.
Top with berries, coconut, or dark chocolate shavings for garnish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
