Salted caramel date cake

Salted caramel date cake

1 h
A luxurious date dessert with almond paste and a caramel-flavoured base. This satisfying flavour combination contrasts crisp dark chocolate with smooth salted caramel. The cream gives the base a fluffy texture and pairs well with the heavier almond paste.
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Instructions

  • Make the almond paste first as it requires some time to chill. Place the almonds in a food processor and blend at the highest speed for around two minutes. Add dates, cacao and salt. Continue to blend at a high speed for 3-5 minutes, until the mixture is entirely smooth. Put the mixture in a baking tin (around 10 x 30 cm in dimension), flatten then cover with baking paper and freeze for around 15 minutes.
  • For the caramel-date base, put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend at the highest speed for 3-5 minutes until completely smooth.
  • Remove the tray with the almond paste from the freezer. Cover the almond paste with the caramel-date base and make an even layer, before returning the tin to the freezer for a further 15 minutes.
  • Remove the tray from the freezer once again. Melt the chocolate in a water bath (this can easily be achieved by using a heat proof bowl placed inside a pot of water) then cover the caramel-date layer with the melted chocolate. Leave to chill in the freezer for around 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is entirely firm.
  • Remove the cake from the tray and place it chocolate-side down. Decorate the top with berries and serve!
Enjoy!

Salted caramel date cake

Can you freeze date cake?
This date cake is perfect for freezing if you want to keep some for later, and if cut into small slices it can also be eaten straight from the freezer as a cooler snack! Be sure to tightly wrap the dessert in clingfilm, place in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
Can date cakes be made gluten-free or vegan?
A simple way to make this cake vegan is to swap the double cream for a plant-based whipping cream alternative. If you have a gluten allergy however, make sure to double check the contents, as some plant-based milk alternatives contain gluten, unlike milk itself.
What are some creative ways to decorate a date cake for a special occasion?
Along with the suggested berry topping in this recipe, a simple way to mix things up is to add crushed walnuts to the melted chocolate before setting to create a different effect. Alternatively, use a simple caramel glaze to make the cake eye-catching – mix melted butter, sugar and thick cream, bring to the boil then simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Drizzle on top and you’re finished.

Ingredients

Almond paste
Almonds
150 g
Stoned dates
150 g
Cacao powder
2 tbsp
Sea salt
½ tsp
Caramel-date base
Stoned dates
200 g
Coconut oil
2 tbsp
Sea salt
1 tsp
Double cream
200 ml
Dark chocolate 70% cacao, , roughly chopped
200 g
To decorate
Mixed berries
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Date cakes are among the oldest desserts in the world thanks to the usefulness of dates as a natural sweetener that was relatively affordable and accessible. Dates originate in the Middle East where they are used in a wide range of traditional desserts and are among the oldest cultivated fruits in existence. The fruit also has an important role in European cultures – in the UK for example dates are an important part of several Christmas desserts like fruit cake, while in Spain date and walnut cake is a Valencian delicacy.

The best ways to enjoy a date cake: toppings and spreads

This date cake recipe is well balanced but there is room for experimentation to give it a different character. Caramel sauce is a classic topping that combines well with the cake’s flavours, or for a savoury contrast why not try cream cheese or mascarpone? A spicy, unusual alternative is to create a ginger icing by combining icing sugar, butter, ground ginger and a touch of vanilla to top the date cake off with a kick.

For some extra flavour, try adding some cardamom

Cardamom is the secret weapon that can take desserts to the next level and date cake is no exception – try adding some ground cardamom and cinnamon to the caramel-date base before blending.

Perfect pairing with coffee or tea

There’s no hard rule about which kind of drink to combine this tasty cake with but its sweet nature combines well with a strong cup of coffee or a darker, richer tea variety.

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