Easy and Moist Date Cake Recipe (gluten-free)

Name: Easy and Moist Date Cake Recipe (gluten-free)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (250 grams); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder; 1 teaspoon cardamom powder; 3 eggs; 2 cups packed dates (400 grams); 1 cup applesauce (250 grams); 3/4 cup solid coconut oil (125 grams)

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This easy date cake recipe is infused with warm spices and sweetened with a date mixture and applesauce only.

It's perfect for any occasion and healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast. Whip it up in 15 minutes and let the oven do the rest.

So grab that cup of coffee, and let's make it—gluten-free and dairy-free!

A brown baked date cake served on a wooden board.

I love using (Medjool) dates to add natural sweetness to desserts like these healthy brownies or date balls.

I even love it to sweeten my coffee smoothie. It adds fiber and a lovely caramel flavor. It's the perfect natural sweetener.

In this date cake, I combine luscious dates once more with a few other ingredients to create a date puree.

When combined with a gluten-free flour mixture, you'll have a beautiful batter that your oven turns into the perfect sweet and irresistible treat.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Notes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Variations
Recipe FAQs
Recommended
📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy recipe: This date cake recipe can't get any easier. All you need is a few basic ingredients and a little bit of time to prepare the batter and bake the cake.
Moist and flavorful: It's deliciously moist thanks to the combination of dates and applesauce. While warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom pair so well with the natural caramel flavor of dates.
Adaptable: Add crunchy walnuts or top of the cake with sugar powder—plenty of options to make this date cake yours.
Perfect for any occasion: We love it for breakfast or brunch on lazy weekend mornings. But it even works for a festive gathering or as the perfect holiday dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients & Notes

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

A set of ingredients on a table to make a date cake.

Flour: I use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You can use the same flour to make this Gluten-free Honey Ricotta Pie.

Dates: I love sweet Medjool Dates. They have a higher sugar content and are perfect for baking. No need to soak them as they are getting blended into a puree.

Applesauce: Go for unsweetened applesauce. Use some of it also to make this Healthy Breakfast Cake.

Coconut Oil: To keep it dairy-free. If there is no concern, you can use butter instead.

Salt: A tad of salt nicely balances the sweet flavors.

Baking powder: I'm just using a tad to give it that airy texture.

Cardamom and cinnamon powder: The warm spices will complement the sweetness of the dates and create a cozy, comforting flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

See the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card.

Making a delicious date cake is easier than you might think. Here's how to do it:

Flour and spices in a stainless steel bowl.

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients until well combined. Best to use a whisk to fluff up the flour. Set aside.

Dates, applesauce, and eggs in a blender.

Step 2: Add all wet ingredients into a blender with the dates.

Step 3: Blend into a puree on medium-high speed.

Flour is mixed with a brown paste in a stainless steel bowl.

Step 4: Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients until well combined.

Step 5: Pour batter into a prepared pan.

Step 6: Bake for about 45 minutes. Use a toothpick to test for doneness.

Note: Best to serve at room temperature. Allow the date cake to cool for the flavors to come together.

A piece of a date cake on a small serving plate.

Variations

When it comes to date cake, there are many variations you can try to add a unique twist and make it just a little different. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Add chopped walnuts: Make it a date walnut cake by distributing this nut onto the cake batter. They pair so well with dates or figs, like in my fig cake recipe.
Add dark chocolate chips: I love the sugar-free ones from Lily's for a nice chocolate twist. Add them to the date cake batter before baking so they can melt.
Top with whip cream or sugar-free homemade ice cream: Perfect if you're going for an extra indulgent dessert. Vanilla flavor or anything banana-based will work refreshingly well with the sweetness of the dates.
Drizzle with a toffee sauce or sugar powder: Want to go for a decadent finish, maybe for the Holidays? Then drizzle the date cake with warm toffee sauce or a dulce de latte. A little goes a long way.

Recipe FAQs

How to store date cake?

At room temperature: Let the moist cake cool completely, then place in an airtight container and store it at room temperature. The cake will keep for up to 3 days.

In the refrigerator: For longer storage, store it in the refrigerator. Cover the cake with parchment paper and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just be aware that refrigeration can cause the cake to dry out faster, so it's best to eat it as soon as possible.

In the freezer: If you have leftover date cake that you want to keep for longer than a week, you can also freeze it. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat the cake, just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

What are the types of dates I can use to make this date cake?

I prefer Medjool dates. They are so much sweeter than most other dates and can really be used as a natural sugar substitute in baking.

The other common dates you'll easily find in stores are Deglet Noor dates. Because they are less sweet and smaller, you might have to incorporate more if you use them.

It's the best cake to pair with your favorite cup of coffee or tea! Enjoy!