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spoon attempting to drizzle caramel sauce over stack of date cake slices
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Hazelnut Date Cake

Rich, moist, and date-sweetened, this flourless hazelnut date cake is egg-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, and even more delicious with a drizzle of healthy caramel sauce!
Course Cake, Dessert
Cuisine worldwide
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8
Author Michaela Vais

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g) medjool dates pitted
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) dairy-free milk (I used canned coconut milk)
  • 1 medium (170 g) apple grated
  • ¼ cup (60 g) tahini (or runny nut/seed butter of choice)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (180 g) oat flour (ground oats)
  • ¾ cup (75 g) ground hazelnuts
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Chopped hazelnuts for the topping

Instructions

  • You can watch the short video for visual instructions.
    Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Meanwhile, pit the dates, place them in a bowl, and pour the milk over them to soak for 10 minutes.
  • Grate the apple using the large holes of a grater (or a grater disk in a food processor).
  • Blend the date and milk mixture, tahini, and vanilla on high speed until smooth and creamy. At the same time, preheat the oven to 356 °F/180 °C (top and bottom heat) and line an 8-inch (20cm) square baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix the date puree, grated apple, ground hazelnuts, oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
  • Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top, then sprinkling it with chopped hazelnuts.
  • Bake the date cake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick/skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack, then slice it into squares or triangles.

Notes

  • Medjool dates: These are the best option - naturally plump, juicy, and sweet. Other dates may require additional soaking first and may not be as sweet or flavorful.
  • Other nuts: Technically, this would work with any nut- like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, etc.
  • Tahini: This adds healthy fats and richness. Substitute with any runny nut/seed butter.
  • Quick caramel sauce: Mix 1-2 tbsp of cashew butter or tahini with 1 tbsp date syrup and a little water to your desired consistency. Drizzle over the cooled hazelnut date cake, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Hazelnut Date Cake
Amount per Serving
Calories
296
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
5
%
Sodium
 
198
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
39
g
13
%
Fiber
 
6
g
24
%
Sugar
 
23
g
26
%
Protein
 
6.6
g
13
%
Calcium
 
181
mg
18
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.