Easy Mary Berry Date And Walnut Cake Recipe – Golden Perfection

Mary Berry’s date and walnut cake represents a quintessential British baking tradition that warms hearts and delights taste buds.

Sweet, nutty dates intertwine with crunchy walnuts in this classic confection that promises rich, comforting flavors.

Soft textures and deep caramel notes define this beloved dessert, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Bakers appreciate how effortlessly this cake comes together, requiring minimal technical skill and maximum enjoyment.

Home cooks treasure such recipes that deliver maximum impact with straightforward preparation techniques.

The combination of dried fruit and nuts creates a harmonious balance between natural sweetness and subtle earthiness.

Every slice tells a story of culinary heritage and familial warmth: savor the experience.

Key Ingredients for a Date & Walnut Cake

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps bind ingredients together. Room temperature butter works best for smooth mixing.
• Dates: Natural sweetener that adds moisture and deep, caramel-like sweetness to the cake. Soft, fresh dates recommended.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps create light, soft texture and assists with browning.
• Boiling Water: Activates bicarbonate of soda and softens dates for better cake consistency.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden, tender cake crust. Granulated white sugar preferred.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind ingredients. Fresh, room temperature eggs work best.
• Baking Powder: Ensures cake rises evenly and creates soft, fluffy texture.
• Flour: Main structural component of cake. All-purpose flour recommended for balanced texture.

• Walnuts: Adds nutty flavor and crunchy texture. Fresh, whole walnuts work best for chopping.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Fine ground sea salt recommended.

Steps to Bake Mary Berry’s Date-Walnut Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Tin

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F)/160°C fan/gas mark 4. Grease a loaf tin and line it with baking parchment for easy removal.

• Butter
• Baking parchment

Step 2: Create Date Mixture

• Butter
• Dates
• Bicarbonate of soda

Pour of boiling water over the mixture. Stir until the butter melts completely. Let the mixture rest for 20 minutes to allow flavors to develop.

Step 3: Add Sweetness and Eggs

Whisk sugar into the date mixture until smooth. Gradually add eggs, whisking continuously until fully incorporated and the batter becomes light and creamy.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Baking powder
• Flour
• Pinch of sea salt

Ensure the mixture is completely smooth with no flour lumps.

Step 5: Incorporate Walnuts

Chop walnuts and fold 3/4 of them into the cake batter. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts on top for extra crunch.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Bake for 20 minutes at the initial temperature. Reduce oven temperature to 170°C (340°F)/150°C fan/gas mark 3. Continue baking for 45-50 minutes.

Tip: Check cake doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean when the cake is fully baked.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade date and walnut cake!

Tips for a Moist Date & Walnut Loaf

• Soak Strategically: Allow dates to steep in hot water longer for maximum moisture absorption, creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Swap Smartly: Pecans or almonds work perfectly when walnuts aren't available, maintaining the cake's delightful nutty crunch.
• Slice Smoothly: Let the cake rest in the tin for 15 minutes to prevent crumbling, ensuring clean, picture-perfect cuts.
• Test Perfectly: A clean skewer means your cake is baked to golden perfection, ready to be enjoyed.
• Dust Delicately: Sprinkle icing sugar for a professional bakery-style finish that adds both sweetness and visual appeal.

Storing This Nutty Treat

• Refrigerator Preservation: Seal the cake in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delectable crumb. Ensure the container is completely sealed to block any potential absorption of other food odors.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to create a protective barrier against freezer burn. Label the package with the date and contents to track storage time. Freeze for maximum three months, keeping the cake away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its original flavor profile.
• Counter Storage: Position the cake in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or cake dome to prevent dust and maintain freshness. Consume within four days for optimal taste and texture, checking daily for any signs of staleness or moisture buildup.

Variations on a Date & Walnut Cake

• Gluten-Free Wonder: Replace regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for those avoiding wheat. Ensure all other ingredients remain the same for a delicious alternative.
• Nutty Adventure: Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different flavor profile. Experiment with toasted nuts to enhance the cake's rich, earthy taste.
• Spiced Delight: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the batter for a warm, aromatic twist. These spices complement the sweetness of dates and create a more complex flavor.
• Chocolate Lovers' Edition: Fold in dark chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cake. The chocolate will add depth and richness to the classic date and walnut combination.

Concluding Mary Berry’s Cake

Sweet nostalgia blossoms with Mary Berry’s classic date and walnut cake, a timeless British dessert that whispers comfort and warmth.

Fragrant dates mingle with crunchy walnuts, creating layers of rich, harmonious flavors that dance across palates.

Bakers discover pure magic in this simple yet sophisticated recipe, transforming humble ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Subtle nuances of caramel and nuttiness emerge with each carefully crafted slice, inviting memories of grandmother’s kitchen.

Elegant simplicity defines this culinary masterpiece, promising satisfaction with every delectable bite.

Passionate bakers and curious kitchen adventurers, share this delightful recipe, comment on your baking journey, and spread sweet inspiration across your social circles.

Why Mary Berry’s Date & Walnut Cake Is a Classic

• Dive into Delightful Texture: Packed with soft, sticky dates and crunchy walnuts, this cake offers an incredible contrast of smooth and crisp elements that dance together in every single bite.
• Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires simple steps and minimal technical skills, making it an approachable dessert that delivers professional-looking results without complicated techniques.
• Comforting Winter Warmth: The combination of sweet dates and rich walnuts creates a deeply satisfying cake that feels like a warm hug, ideal for cozy afternoons with tea or after a hearty meal during chilly seasons.
• Nutritious Treat with Indulgent Flavor: Walnuts provide healthy fats and protein, while dates offer natural sweetness, transforming this cake from a simple dessert into a more wholesome and nourishing treat that doesn't compromise on taste.

Mary Berry Date And Walnut Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mary Berry’s date and walnut cake delivers classic British comfort with rich, nutty flavors and moist crumb. Elegant yet simple, this timeless dessert promises warmth and nostalgia in each delightful slice you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 225 grams (8 ounces) self-raising flour
• 200 grams (7 ounces) soft dates, pitted and roughly chopped
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) light muscovado sugar
• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) unsalted butter, cubed and softened, plus extra for the tin
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 eggs

Leavening Agents:

• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Finishing Ingredient:

• 1 tablespoon icing sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C) with a convection setting at 320°F (160°C). Generously coat a 2-pound (900 grams) loaf pan with butter and line with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine softened butter, chopped dates, and sodium bicarbonate. Pour 5 fluid ounces (150 milliliters) of boiling water over the mixture, stirring until butter completely dissolves. Allow the mixture to rest and steep for 20 minutes, enabling flavors to meld.
3. Vigorously whisk granulated sugar into the date mixture until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency. Gradually incorporate eggs, whisking continuously to create a well-integrated batter.
4. Sift baking powder and all-purpose flour into the liquid ingredients. Add a delicate pinch of sea salt. Fold gently but thoroughly, ensuring no flour pockets remain and the batter becomes silky and homogeneous.
5. Gently fold approximately 75% of the chopped walnuts into the batter, distributing them evenly. Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, creating an even surface. Sprinkle the remaining walnut pieces across the top for visual appeal and added crunch.
6. Position the loaf in the preheated oven. Bake initially for 20 minutes, then reduce temperature to 338°F (170°C) with a convection setting at 302°F (150°C). Continue baking for an additional 45-50 minutes.
7. Test cake doneness by inserting a thin skewer into the center; it should emerge clean and dry. Remove from oven and allow cake to rest inside the pan for 15 minutes, facilitating easier removal and preventing structural collapse.
8. Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire cooling rack, allowing it to reach room temperature before slicing and serving.

Notes

• A delightful twist on traditional British baking that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.
• Soaking dates in boiling water with bicarbonate of soda creates a magical chemical reaction that guarantees unprecedented moisture and softness.
• Toasting walnuts beforehand unlocks deeper, more intense nutty flavors that elevate the entire cake’s complexity.
• Storing at room temperature wrapped in parchment paper keeps the cake wonderfully fresh and moist for up to four days.
• Freezing this cake allows for stress-free advance preparation, maintaining its delectable texture for three months.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Uk

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg