Chocolate Date Cake

Ingredients

• For Chocolate Date Cake
• 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates
• 1/2 cup hot milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based), or as needed for desired consistency
• 1 cup plain yogurt (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/2 cup neutral oil, or melted butter for non-vegan
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 4 tablespoons chopped almonds or walnuts
• 4 tablespoons dark chocolate chips or chunks (optional)
• NOTE: Some ingredients can be replaced with their vegan counterparts.

Instructions

1. 1

   --- For making Chocolate Date Cake ---

2. 2

   If your dates have pits, remove them. Soak the whole dates in ½ cup of hot milk for 20 minutes.

3. 3

   Once cooled, transfer the soaked dates (with the milk) to a blender. Add the yogurt and blend into a smooth paste.

4. 4

   Pour the paste into a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and vanilla extract, and whisk until combined.

5. 5

   Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the same bowl. Also, add cinnamon powder.

6. 6

   Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Slowly add ½ cup milk, mixing until well combined. Be careful not to overmix.

7. 7

   Fold in 2 tablespoons of chopped almonds and 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips gently. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a cake tin.

8. 8

   Pour the batter into the prepared tin, smooth the top gently, and tap the pan a few times to release any air bubbles.

9. 9

   Top with the remaining chopped almonds and chocolate chips, if desired. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. 10

    Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. I like to serve it warm, but you can also let it cool completely before slicing; the texture will firm up more after cooling. Dust it unsweetened cocoa powder, slice.

11. 11

    Enjoy your eggless, refined sugar-free, whole wheat chocolate date cake with a cup of hot coffee or warm milk.

12. 12

    NOTE: Watch the recipe video to learn how to perform these cooking steps.

13. 13

    --- ENJOY THIS RECIPE ---

14. 14

    ENJOY THIS RECIPE.