Date Nut Cake

This recipe came via a community cookbook that was gifted to me from a church in the "Little Switzerland of Ohio," otherwise known as Sugarcreek, Ohio. I'm not sure when the cookbook was published - perhaps in the 1970's or 1980's - but this seemed like a good, old-fashioned recipe, so I thought I'd try it. It was a wonderful cake!
1/2 lb. chopped pitted dates
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup shortening (I used butter)
1 egg
1 cup of chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
1 cup of boiling water
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 2/3 cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Put chopped dates in a small bowl and sprinkle baking soda over dates. Cover with 1 cup boiling water and allow to cool to room temperature.
Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and salt and beat well.
Add the date mixture (including liquid) alternately with the flour to the creamed mixture, scraping the bowl as needed. Add nuts and vanilla and stir in until combined.
Bake in a greased and floured 8x12 pan (I used an 8x8 pan) for 50 minutes at 325 degrees, or until cake tests done. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely on wire rack. Once cake is cooled, spread topping on cake.
Topping:
1/2 lb. chopped pitted dates
2 TBSP corn starch
1 cup sugar (I would cut this down to 1/2 cup unless you want a very sweet topping)
1 cup water
Combine all ingredients in sauce pan and slowly bring to a boil stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before putting on cake.

[@jimkelley108]

I just can’t get enough of you guys!!😋

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Jim!

[@kkricket1968]

This is a beautiful and delicious looking cake! I am having a blast going through all of your old videos.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Kristy!! Hope you are enjoying the videos!

[@johnfennelly325]

Date nut cake was a staple at communion parties, weddings, etc. When I was growing up in.Cleveland (not far from Sugar Creek/Amish country). I'm from the way back machine.too (about your age).

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi John! Thanks for letting me know that a date nut cake was a common sight at celebrations. It was rarely seen here in the Detroit area growing up, so it was a treat to make it. Thanks!

[@johnfennelly325]

@@cavalcadeoffood Interesting. There was a now closed Bakery in Parma called Baker's Bakery which was well-known for them. Also, Dick's Bakery in Berea still makes them. I wonder if the Amish brought them to the area and they caught on?

[@jonathan_nc]

I get chopped dates at Aldi's around Christmastime. A seasonal thing. I make Valerie's Krispy Date Bars with them. Butter, sugar, and dates cooked in a pan for about 15 min. Then combine with Rice Krispies and smash it in the pan with a Foley measuring cup. Cut into small bars and put in a Ziploc bag with powdered sugar to coat. I don't know who Valerie was, but she made a great date bar! Mom and I have been making them every Christmas for about 50 years. Kevin, the cake looks delicious. I actually have the right pan!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jonathan! Thanks for the recipe to Valerie's Krispy Date Bars! I've never had those exactly, but have had something similar. They sound wonderful and I can see how they would be a big hit at Christmas! After digging around, I found my 8x12 pan (I knew I had one somewhere!) and I put it in a place where I can get to it easily the next time! Thanks!

[@rosep9866]

Thank you for sharing,,years ago Haagen- daza ice cream toffee date ice cream oh so delicious. Now I can make the bars & & cake thank you!!!❤️🙏🤗

[@jonathan_nc]

@@rosep9866 It's one stick butter, one scant cup sugar, one package of chopped dates. Cook in pot, stirring, on med-high heat until mixture dissolves and forms a stiff paste, about 10 minutes. Pour over 3 cups Rice Krispies and mix together. Then pour into a square baking pan and smash down with a measuring cup. When cool, cut into small pieces and place in Ziploc bag with some powdered sugar and shake. Little white chunks of heaven is what they are. Enjoy! You could add toffee bits and have the flavor of the ice cream too, but you may want to add them at the last so they don't dissolve.

[@rosep9866]

@@jonathan_nc thank you so much 🤗🙏

[@judefrazier4727]

Remember the old bakery date bars? Delicious

[@cavalcadeoffood]

I sure do - haven't had them in years!

[@OldeHadleyVintage]

Hi Kev! Yes I agree that I would reduce the sugar amount too in the topping… what a great recipe and now when I go antiquing I’m always looking for the community cookbooks too! They are true treasures!! Glad you and Ralph are well! Sending hugs! Jeff xo

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jeff! Glad you're keeping an eye out for community cookbooks! You'll find some wonderful old recipes! Great to hear from you - thanks so much!!

[@psurupieful]

Hi Kevin and Ralph! I made the cake this morning. Delicious! I cut back the sugar in the topping and it was perfect. I used a 9 inch round cake pan and it worked great. Thanks for another fantastic recipe. I’m taking a piece to my 97 yr old Baba so that she can try it. She’s the ultimate judge. Thanks again! ❤ Christine

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Christine - So glad you made this cake! Using at 9inch round cake pan seems ideal! I hope you Baba enjoyed her piece!! Thanks!

[@longhairbear]

We are awash in Dates here in Palm Springs, surrounded by date farms. We have 3 date palms in our yard, but the birds get to the dates before we do. We can get date nut bread as a bread choice at a local eatery, and date shakes are served all over. Jack Benny made fun of that fact in his old radio shows that were broadcast from here over the years. Our fave way to have date nut bread is with some bleu cheese, poached pears, and held in your mouth while sipping a good sherry. We first had it that way years ago at a restaurant in Walt Disney World at the Grand Floridian Hotel. Your cake looks yummy!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Longhairbear! All those fresh dates all around you - how wonderful! Sounds like they put dates in everything there - love it! That date nut bread with bleu cheese and poached pears sounds incredible - along with the sherry! Thanks so much!

[@leslietibbs6643]

I’m a new y.. and enjoying the variety of videos you put out… great stuff!!! I’m making the cake today!!!

[@janeparrett8601]

What can I say. Another YUM! I think of my Mom's kitchen and that gives me a big hug of memories. Thank you Kevin and Ralph.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Jane!! So glad it brings good memories for you!!

[@sarahussery5868]

I am definitely going to give this a try. I absolutely love dates and this recipe looks yummy. Hope y'all are doing well. Always looking forward to the next video. Hi Ralph. Very nice to see/hear you again.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Sarah! Hope you give it a try! If you love dates, this cake is for you!

[@trixier6505]

My mother made this back in the Fifties and Sixties. Delicious! Dates are so yummy.

[@trixier6505]

She used pecans from our yard and used a loaf pan.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Trixie! I'll bet your mom's version was wonderful and how great that you had your own pecan tree! Thanks!

[@LlamaMama60]

Reminds me of a sticky toffee cake .... looks delish❤️😋

[@susanadiaz3957]

I make this cake and is so delicious. I definitely recommend to try the recipe. I love kitchen and their appliances. Great flow of the tips to make this cake awesome.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Susana! Thanks so much for letting us know - glad you enjoyed the recipe and the cake!!

[@sarahdec691]

Love you guys! really enjoy your videos 😊hope your keeping well

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thank you so much, Sarah!! We appreciate you watching!!

[@andrewoltman1171]

I can’t wait to try this recipe, it brings back memories going to my grandma’s house at Christmas, she always had date nut cake, homemade fudge and homemade caramel!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Andrew - hope you give the cake a try! Sounds like your grandma made a lot of goodies for Christmas!

[@jamessheridan4306]

"Remember Julia Child..." Good call from Ralph. Wish he'd been there for some of MY kitchen conundrums. LOL

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi James! Julia Child was great for not letting little kitchen mishaps bother her. I remember she said after something stuck to the pan, "know one will ever know but you!" Thanks!

[@shirleychavez4870]

That’s what we loved about Julia Child, she didn’t sweat the small stuff.

[@patriciasarata3360]

Looks delicious! I’m not much of a baker, but I love Bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer! Dates, nuts,dried fruits are big in some regions.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Patricia! I haven't had bacon wrapped dates in years but remember how delicious they are!! Thanks!

[@barry5153]

Looks soo delicious!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Barry! It was good!

[@nanci6134]

i remember my Mom making this! I think i will try it. Thank you! BTW looking very Dapper there

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Nanci - I hope you give it a try! Thanks!

[@ma-mo]

Love it, fellas. I've been to Sugarcreek many times, and it's worth the trip just for the baked goods!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi MAMO - we are looking forward to visiting Sugarcreek the next time we venture that way. Sounds like there's lots of wonderful things to see, do and eat there! Thanks!

[@bg147]

That had to be good. Nice job and great utilization of the old cook book. It's s shame dates aren't more popular in the USA. They are obviously much more common in the Middle East and Europe as well.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi bg147 - this was a very good cake. Yes, we're not big on dates in the US, although they do grow here. Thanks!

[@cyrilhudak4568]

If you are a steam locomotive lover, the Age of Steam Roundhouse is there.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Cyril - I didn't know that. Sounds like a lot of attractions there, including the world's largest cuckoo clock! Thanks!

[@sarahlouisebrown5027]

Thank you , I Altered mine, for the topping I blended graded Tart apple that was soaked in lemon after cooled drained water before in to boiling Amalgamated into roping The tartness set it right . My rendition .

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi sarahlouisebrown - you're version of the topping sounds good! Thanks!

[@64ssmalibu]

Looks good, never had dates that I can recall. So not too sure what they even taste like.

[@Theaterverslaafde]

Hi guys, oeh, this looks like a wonderful cake! I'm also in the possession of a kilo of fat, plump, stone in medjool dates, so I might give this a go. Dates weren't that common here in the Netherlands. I remember them being around during Christmas time, in small, narrow Styrofoam containers. Thin, dry, with a very distinct skin. Luckily we get the fat, plump ones now, even in supermarkets. Especially around Ramadan time.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Linda - the dates you have sound perfect for a cake like this! I hope you get a chance to make this cake or some other wonderful treat with your dates. Thanks!

[@kestrelhawkins6078]

This recipe is very similar to a classic sticky toffee pudding. I discovered it years ago, and people ask me to bring it for holidays now, because it's so good! I'm happy to, having grown up in date country. Sticky toffee pudding is a British classic, but any time I can incorporate dates, I love to. Have you tried Larabars? I like to take those on hikes because they are a quick source of energy, and usually only have 2 or 3 ingredients; 2 of which are always dates and nuts. Sometimes I make my own. Super easy and delicious. Also dangerous because it's easy to eat a lot. LOL

[@rosep9866]

Really sticky toffee similar!! Wonderful I must Make it!! Thanks for that tip🤗

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Kestrel! I've never had or made sticky toffee pudding but I'll have to research it. Sounds like something I'd really like. Yes, I've had Larabars and love them!! It's easy to eat a few of them they taste so good! Thanks!

[@russbear31]

Serious question: Have you tested any of your old Pyrex mixing bowls for lead-based paint? This week I saw a video by another KZbinr who collects vintage cookware. He tested one of his old cast iron skillets for lead. (It was OK.) Out of curiosity he then used the lead detection kit on one of his old vintage Pyrex bowls. The inside of the bowl, which was like milk glass, was OK and was lead-free----but the outside of the bowl, which was painted blue and had a decorative design, contained lead-based paint, according to the test. This is a dilemma: Are they safe to use? Should we be worried? Lead-based paint was pretty common more than 40 years ago...

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi RD M - I have not tested any of my old Pyrex for lead. I've heard the stories and many people I've talked with claim it's not true, and it was fabricated by someone who sells test kits. I'm not sure what to believe, but it wouldn't surprise me if the exterior paint contained lead or other toxins. At the time they were produced, this was part of the manufacturing process. The inside of the bowls, which is the part that come in contact with the food, has no paint of any sort, so I use them. But everyone should research the issue and decide for themselves. Thanks!

[@pattylevasseur4041]

my mom used to make date nut cookies they were quite yum also;];];] thanks guys;];];]

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Patty - I'll bet those cookies your mom made were wonderful! Thanks!

[@juliabalogh9282]

Yum 😋

[@Crazytesseract]

Alright, so you are the face behind Always Analog. Interesting recipe (however, I would leave the egg out!). Thank you!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Dr. Dandriger - yes, that's me. This is my main channel. Thanks!

[@thethriftyfawn]

YUM!!!!!!!

[@dagnabbit6187]

Sometimes I don’t like to watch you . It makes me jealous of how cultured you are and how privileged you are to have access to so much vintage stuff . I am still searching for that Betty Feezor cookbook but along the way I did find an old furniture salesman training book from the 50s so I guess for me life isn’t totally unfulfilled

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Dag Nabbit - I'm sure a Betty Feezor cookbook will show up for you one of these days. There always seem to be some for sale online and I'd guess they turn up frequently in the Carolinas. The furniture salesman training book you came across sounds incredible! What a great rare find! Thanks!

[@TomLloyd-18]

would also be gr8 as muffins

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Great idea to make muffins with this recipe! Thanks!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Thanks for letting us know that you would cut the sugar in the topping. I really don't like overly sweet cakes. If you're having trouble finding dates in your supermarket try going to a Middle Eastern or Indian market, they usually will have them.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi TuckerSP2011! That's a great tip about checking a Middle Eastern or Indian market!! Thanks!

[@xjAlbert]

Your enthusiasm comes right through the camera ʕ•́؈•̀ʔ

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Albert - it was hard not to be enthused about this cake! Thanks!

[@franksmodels29]

The closest pan size is 7x11 you can get that in metal or Pyrex

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Frank's Models!

[@royalanethridge333]

I made my cake before you finished mixing

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@scooterdover2771]

Let me tell you I'm anything but an Einstein, but for figuring a pan wouldn't you find something that is nearer in squire inches? I remember my mom made a date nut bread that was alright. Her best was a pumpkin bread. I never got the recipe, and I have tasted several but none were like hers.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Scooter - I'll bet your mom's pumpkin bread was delicious. That is a real treat when made well. I could have calculated the square inches, but I wanted a cake that was a certain thickness, so for me I opted for a pan with smaller dimensions to increase the height of the cake. Thanks!