Ina Garten’s Spongy Date Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Indulgent date cake represents a sweet symphony of rich, comforting flavors that dance across your palate with delightful complexity.

Soft, moist textures emerge from carefully balanced ingredients that transform simple pantry staples into something extraordinary.

Warm spices and caramelized fruit notes weave through each tender crumb, creating a dessert that feels both nostalgic and elegant.

Mediterranean-inspired baking techniques elevate this classic treat beyond ordinary expectations, promising a sensational experience for anyone who appreciates nuanced desserts.

Subtle sweetness and deep, complex undertones make this cake a remarkable centerpiece for gatherings or quiet moments of personal pleasure.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the recipe celebrates traditional baking wisdom with a modern twist that keeps you coming back for another slice: Get ready to fall in love with every single bite!

Why You’ll Crave Ina Garten’s Date Cake

• Savor Unique Flavor Complexity: This date cake delivers an incredible depth of taste with its rich, naturally sweet dates combined with a buttery, caramel-like sauce that creates a multilayered flavor experience.
• Enjoy Incredible Textural Contrast: The cake offers a magical combination of soft, moist interior from the boiled dates and a perfectly tender crumb, complemented by the silky smooth caramel sauce that soaks into every delightful bite.
• Master Simple Baking Technique: Designed for home bakers of all skill levels, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into an extraordinary dessert through clever cooking methods like boiling dates and creating a homemade caramel sauce that elevates the entire dish.
• Create Versatile Dessert Option: Perfect for multiple occasions, whether you're hosting a cozy family dinner, preparing a weekend treat, or wanting to impress guests with a sophisticated yet comforting dessert that works beautifully as a cake or muffins.

Gather These for a Perfect Ina Garten Date Cake

• Dates, Water: Sweet, soft fruit providing natural sweetness and moisture to the cake, best when soft and plump.
• Sugar: Provides overall sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a smooth, tender cake crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.

• Flour: Provides structure and helps create the cake's base.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize the acidity of dates and assists in browning.

• Brown Sugar: Creates a rich, caramel-like sauce with deep molasses flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the caramel sauce.
• Vanilla Extract: Complements the caramel sauce with additional depth.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth caramel sauce.

Bake Ina Garten’s Date Cake Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two muffin pans or one 9-inch round cake pan.

Step 2: Create Date Mixture

• Bring to boil
• Simmer for 1 minute
• Remove from heat
• Add baking soda
• Stir until foam develops

Step 3: Blend Creamy Base

• Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy
• Gradually add eggs
• Scrape bowl sides while mixing
• Incorporate vanilla extract

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking powder

Gradually add to wet mixture until slightly lumpy dough forms

Step 5: Merge Date Mixture

• Scrape bowl between additions
• Fold gently
• Add final baking powder

Step 6: Bake Perfectly

• Cake pan: Bake 30-40 minutes
• Muffin pans: Bake around 20 minutes
• Check doneness with toothpick test

Step 7: Create Caramel Sauce

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract

Simmer 1-2 minutes until thickened

Step 8: Soak Cakes

• Poke small holes across cake surface
• Spoon warm caramel sauce over cakes
• Let soak 10 minutes

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Invert cakes onto plates with caramel side up. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Little Tricks for the Best Date Cake Experience

• Chop Dates Strategically: Use a sharp knife to finely dice dates, ensuring they spread evenly throughout the cake and provide consistent sweetness in every bite.
• Master the Mix Technique: Gently fold ingredients until just combined, stopping as soon as flour disappears to keep the cake's texture light and delicate.
• Pan Preparation Matters: Coat the entire baking pan with butter and flour, getting into every corner to guarantee a smooth cake release without any stuck pieces.
• Maximize Caramel Absorption: Create multiple small holes using a toothpick or skewer across the warm cake surface, allowing the rich caramel sauce to penetrate deeply and create maximum flavor.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Pull out butter, eggs, and milk 30-60 minutes before baking to help them blend more smoothly and create a more uniform cake texture.

How to Store Leftover Date Cake Without Drying It Out

• Cool Completely: Let the date cake cool entirely at room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and soggy texture. Moisture is the enemy of cake preservation.
• Airtight Seal Method: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed container to lock in freshness and prevent drying out. This technique blocks air exposure that can make the cake stale quickly.
• Freezer Preservation: Slice the cake before freezing for easy individual servings. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to maintain optimal flavor and texture for up to 3 months. Thaw slices at room temperature for the best taste experience.

Fun Variations on Ina Garten’s Date Cake

• Nutty Caramel Date Cake: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added crunch and depth. Sprinkle extra nuts on top of the caramel glaze for a rustic, textured finish.
• Chocolate Swirl Date Cake: Mix cocoa powder into half the batter to create a marbled effect. Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the caramel sauce for an indulgent touch.
• Spiced Rum Date Cake: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of dark rum to the batter. Replace vanilla extract in the caramel sauce with rum for a boozy, warm flavor profile.
• Citrus Zest Date Cake: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the batter for a bright, fresh note. Top with a light citrus-infused whipped cream instead of traditional vanilla cream.

Final Notes on Ina Garten’s Date Cake Adventure

Magnificent date cake emerges as pure culinary poetry, blending sweet nostalgia with sophisticated flavor profiles.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Rich caramel sauce cascades across warm cake layers, creating irresistible Mediterranean-inspired magic.

Complex textures dance between moist cake crumb and silky caramel undertones.

Sophisticated palates will discover intricate balance between sweet dates and buttery richness.

Passionate bakers can savor this masterpiece – share this recipe, comment with excitement, spread deliciousness across social media platforms!

Ina Garten Date Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Date Cake brings Mediterranean warmth to classic dessert lovers. Rich caramel notes and tender dates create a luxurious experience that melts in your mouth, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) dates, pitted and chopped
• 8 ounces (227 grams) butter, softened
• ½ pound (227 grams) butter
• 4 eggs
• 2 ½ cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar (8 ounces)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

Baking and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3 ¼ tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

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Instructions

1. Fire up the oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly coat two muffin trays or one 9-inch circular baking dish with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
2. In a large cooking pot, combine dates with of water. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 60 seconds. Remove from heat source and introduce baking soda, stirring until a foamy texture emerges.
3. Using an electric mixer, whip sugar and butter together until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency. Gradually incorporate eggs, pausing periodically to scrape down the mixing bowl’s interior. Blend in vanilla extract until smooth.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly integrate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a slightly lumpy dough develops.
5. Carefully fold the warm date liquid into the batter in two separate additions, thoroughly mixing between each pour. Sprinkle in additional baking powder as the final ingredient.
6. Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared baking vessels. Slide into the preheated oven and bake approximately 30-40 minutes for a cake pan or 20 minutes for muffin trays, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean.
7. Prepare the caramel sauce by combining butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan. Simmer the mixture for 1-2 minutes until it thickens and develops a rich, glossy texture.
8. After removing the baked goods, use a toothpick to create multiple small punctures across the surface. Generously drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the cakes, allowing it to seep into the holes for 10 minutes.
9. Carefully invert the cakes onto serving plates with the caramelized side facing upward. Complement with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish.

Notes

• Caramel sauce penetrates deeper when you create small openings throughout the warm cake surface.
• Mixing technique matters enormously for achieving that perfectly soft, delicate cake texture.
• Precise date chopping guarantees consistent sweetness and moisture in every single bite.
• Generous pan preparation prevents frustrating cake removal and potential crumbling disasters.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, producing a more uniform and delectable dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg