Delicious, and moist, a dessert you will be proud to serve. Mocha Date Cake, is our newest whole wheat dessert that the whole family will enjoy!
If you are a food blogger, then you are also a recipe developer. Whether you cook for your family or just for yourself, you too are a recipe developer. Home cooked food for the most part is always an extension of what you cooked yesterday, maybe last week, or even last year. Because we develop recipes using the foods we enjoy, into future meals. Development of this kind can also be based upon what we have on hand, what might be fresh and in season or even what is on sale at the marketplace. And let's not forget what we might need to use up, to in avoid wasted food.
This cake is a riff, recipe. What is a riff recipe, exactly?
Most new recipes to hit the web are usually a riff of something noticed in a cookbook, on another website or even from memory. To say that there are no new recipes is not true, but to say that you have eaten something pretty close to it, is probably also true. I started converting our favorite recipes to whole wheat and whole grain ingredients about seven years ago. Each of those successes were in fact just a riff on the recipes I already cooked and enjoyed. But in their own way, they were also new recipes. This to me, is also recipe development. Because the different ingredients need adjusting to get results as good as or better than the original recipe.
Recipe development can be fun, but there will be failures!
Recipe development can be fun, but there is definitely a down side as well. I had to relearn what a successful recipe was, when converting our favorites from all purpose flour to whole wheat flour. If there is one ingredient at the marketplace that will provide a stable baking process every single time you bake with it, that item is all purpose flour. And why it is used in every mix available on the grocery shelves. Whole wheat flour on the other hand, can be like a creative toddler that does not want to play in the designated area assigned for the day!
Looks aren't everything in cooking, but I still want YOU, to want it!
The one lesson I had to learn is that baking with whole wheat freshly ground flour was a whole new process. What I have learned and become comfortable with is that usually my whole wheat cakes have a small dip in the middle even when the recipe has been perfectly executed. And truthfully I have yet to master pizza dough or biscuits.
This journey has resulted in my having to learn about myself, as well. Did I want picture perfect food that was acceptable in flavor or did I want food that excited me to cook it, so I could serve it to my family with pride? After a few tasteless attempts at perfect I took another look at why we were eating whole foods to begin with and went for delicious...and it was exactly what has worked out the best for us!
Yep, and I am pretty sure you are going to want to bake this cake...
When I shared the recipe for Our Favorite Date Cake I had a conversation on another social media page with someone regarding their favorite cake from years ago. It was an old fashioned recipe for Date Cake that also had the cook sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking. Ironically I too had remembered that recipe or one just like it, because I had baked just such a cake back in the day. That conversation is what led to my baking this moist and delicious whole wheat Mocha Date Cake, like I said, recipe development! And you are probably going to want to bake this cake...
Some additional thoughts on this recipe:
This recipe calls for fresh hot coffee, so I will make a larger pot of coffee on baking day so I can put the dates to soak while I enjoy my morning coffee. When the mixture has cooled, I am ready to bake.
The coffee will be poured off the dates when mixing the batter, so use a bowl or measuring cup with a pour spout. For this recipe I use my 2 cup liquid measuring cup.
If you purchase whole dates, kitchen scissors make quick work of cutting the dates into pieces.
Ingredients needed for this recipe:
- whole wheat flour
- sugar
- butter
- egg
- vanilla
- salt
- baking powder
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- hot coffee
- dates
You will also need the following:
- kitchen scissors or small kitchen knife
- cutting board
- whisk
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- medium sized mixing bowl
- small mixing bowl
- small bowl with a pour spout
- hand mixer
- silicone spatula
- 9 in. baking pan
Now we are ready to begin!
Mocha Date Cake
inspired by Our Favorite Date Cake
350-degree oven
UPDATED: 05.22.2024
2 c diced dates
1 cup hot fresh coffee
1 t baking soda
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
Snip the dates into smallish squares to measure 2 cups diced dates. Add the baking soda and the hot coffee.
Stir gently to mix and make sure the dates are coated with the coffee. Let sit until cool.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter together, making sure there are no lumps of butter remaining. Add the egg and vanilla, beat until creamy.
In a small sized mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Carefully pour the coffee from the soaking dates over the flour butter mixtures. Beat until well mixed and creamy, about one minute. Use a silicone spatula to fold in the date pieces.
Turn the batter into a prepared 9 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with the chocolate chops. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until done in your oven. Let cool before cutting and serving.
Storage options for Mocha Date Cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature for up to three days. Store in the refrigerator for longer storage time. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
UPDATE:
For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Mocha Date Cake has
been included below.
You might also enjoy:
#WholeWheatThat’sGoodToEat!
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#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily
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Printable "copy and paste" version:
Mocha Date Cake
inspired by Our Favorite Date Cake
350-degree oven
UPDATED: 05.22.2024
2 c diced dates
1 cup hot fresh coffee
1 t baking soda
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
Snip the dates into smallish squares to measure 2 cups diced dates. Add the baking soda and the hot coffee.
Stir gently to mix and make sure the dates are coated with the coffee. Let sit until cool.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter together, making sure there are no lumps of butter remaining. Add the egg and vanilla, beat until creamy.
In a small sized mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Carefully pour the coffee from the soaking dates over the flour butter mixtures. Beat until well mixed and creamy, about one minute. Use a silicone spatula to fold in the date pieces.
Turn the batter into a prepared 9 inch baking pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until done in your oven. Let cool before cutting and serving.
Storage options for Mocha Date Cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature for up to three days. Store in the refrigerator for longer storage time. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
~~~~
WE ONLY DRINK FLAVORED COFFEE. HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE HAVING A FLAVOR THAT WOULD GO WITH MOCHA. WE ENJOY DATES SO MUCH. CAN'T WAIT
ReplyDeleteA simple flavored coffee like vanilla or chocolate would still work well here. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteFirst, your mocha date cake looks and sounds delicious. I rarely cook with flour ( and am not a great baker, ha!) but, can imagine the journey from all-purpose flour to whole wheat flours, and other whole flours. I do enjoy cooking healthy and love developing recipes for the family and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time to your blog! I will be back. cOme on over and visit me.
Velva
Hi Velva, thanks for the kind words. I have taken up your invitation and am now following. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis would go over well at our house!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice development! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!
DeleteI have a package of dates that I need to use up. This cake would be perfect too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I appreciate you stopping by!
DeleteIf I were to use white flour instead of whole wheat would the measurements be the same?
ReplyDeleteI generally use cup for cup in my baking! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteThis sounds delicious. My dad loves dates, I bet he would love this cake too!
ReplyDeleteCCL, I think they not only add delicious flavor, but a richness and moisture as well. The coffee really brings it all together.
DeleteI always have a bag of dates in the cupboard. Dates are my go to snack for my sweet tooth. I will be making this soon.
ReplyDeleteBernadette, dates are my "go to" when my sweet tooth begins to whimper, LOL! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteThat's a beautiful cake! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteHelen thank you and thanks for hosting, I sure appreciate it!
DeleteI'm not a food blogger, but I'm definitely a recipe developer as you described! I love playing with recipes, discovering new ones, making my own, etc. And I wholeheartedly agree that while presentation is nice, it's more about taste and bringing people together--so a dip in the middle... so what?! :) Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #39 linkup! Hope to see you next time at #40 with more of your posts to share.
ReplyDeleteJennifer I knew most would see themselves in this post, and that makes me happy! We all have a touch of "recipe developer" in us. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteHi Melynda, I've never heard of a riff recipe, thanks for the explanation. Your Mocha Date Cake sounds delicious and perfect for afternoon tea. Thanks for co-hosting and sharing your recipe at #WeekendTrafficJamReboot. Have a great week. x
ReplyDeleteA "riff" is just a few steps away from another recipe that you have grown to trust in and make often. You may find the chocolate and the dates are a new favorite of yours when you make this cake.
DeleteMelynda, this recipe for mocha date cake sounds amazing! I'm going to prepare this soon. I'll be featuring your post this Friday at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #40. :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie, thank you very much! I appreciate being able to share with your readers at Crazy Little Love Birds, thank you again.
Delete