Jessica's Chocolate Date Cake.

This easy to make Chocolate Date Cake is the latest favorite of my chocolate loving husband! It is moist, rich and yes, easy to make. Oh did I also mention it is whole grain and has no refined sugar? 

Chocolate Date Cake was on the menu for dessert one night for our dinner and a movie family gathering.  

It was warm, and chocolate-y and so delicious! It was also made with whole wheat flour and maple syrup along with the dates. All of the ingredients are whole food ingredients, and easy to use pantry staples. Do we make this often? Yes, it is made often by both families. And if my husband had his way, it would be made weekly. Sometimes Chocolate Date Cake is topped with "extras" and sometimes not. It is just that sort of dessert that you can dress up for any festive gathering, but it is also quite delicious, right out of the oven! 

So delicious it does not need a frosting.

But a bit of whipped cream or ice cream is the usual way it is enjoyed by my husband. Baked in an 8-inch pan it keeps very well due to the moist dates that are a part of the batter. Actually it will keep longer than it will last...making it perfect to bake up and have something delicious to offer after dinner or for after school snacks. Since it is whole food ingredients, with no refined sugar, it won't spoil any dinner appetizes. I bake this and then cover it well. My husband serves himself. He often enjoys his dessert in the late afternoon after working outside on our property. By the way, it will have a crack down the middle when you take it out of the oven. And it will most likely settle a bit as it cools. No worries however, it is still delicious!

Of course for those who cannot leave well enough alone! 

You could always sprinkle a few chocolate chips over the batter before baking, but do remember they may sink to the bottom. Another idea for a super easy glaze, when the cake comes out of the oven, sprinkle with a handful of chocolate chips and once melted, gently spread over the top of the warm cake. Walnuts over the top of the batter before baking would be lovely as well. You might want to sprinkle the top of the cake with a cinnamon streusels before baking. We have enjoyed it with many of these ideas! But I usually bake it plain as my own Chocolate Date Cake eater loves his ice cream!

Some additional thoughts on this recipe:

You will want to bake this cake for the full amount of baking time suggested. Taking into consideration the differences from oven to oven, do use a toothpick to test for doneness. You will want the toothpick or tester to come out clean (as in dry) with no traces of cake batter attached. 

The hardest part of this recipe is the pureed dates. But not any longer! I now make the batter in a 4 cup glass measuring cup as my mixing bowl. It is deep enough to puree the dates and eggs together, then stir in the remaining ingredients in by hand. This method is not only easier, but it saves on dishes needing to be washed. I have included photos below. 

Ingredients for this recipe:

• whole dates
• eggs
• maple syrup
• vanilla 
• olive or avocado oil
• whole wheat flour
• cocoa powder
• baking powder
• baking soda 
• salt

You will also need the following:

• stick blender or countertop blender
• medium mixing bowl or 4 c measuring cup, see below
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• whisk
• silicone spatula
• 8 inch baking pan

Now we are ready to begin!

Jessica's Chocolate Date Cake

from my daughter Jessica

350-degree oven

UPDATED: 06.12.2026

12 Medjool dates

1 c boiling water

3 eggs

1/2 c maple syrup

1 t vanilla

1/4 c light olive oil or avocado oil - we used avocado oil

1 c whole wheat flour - we use sprouted whole wheat flour

1/2 cocoa powder

1 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

Pit the Medjool dates, place them into the mixing bowl or the 4 cup glass measuring cup, cover with the boiling water. Let rest until barely warm. 

Once cooled, puree the dates and water together to make a date paste. Use the method you prefer. I do use a stick blender. 

Using the same mixing bowl, return the date paste to the mixing bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients. Using a whisk mix until the batter is smooth.

Or if you are using a 4 cup glass measuring cup as the mixing bowl. Take a look at this photo, it is used to puree the dates and mix the batter. Saving on dishes to wash!

Pour batter into a prepared 8X8 baking pan. If baking in a glass pan, bake for 40 minutes. If using a metal pan, bake for 35-45 minutes. Do test for doneness!

Let cool and serve. 

Storage options for Jessica's Chocolate Date Cake. Cover well and store at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage time, store in the refrigerator or you may cut and wrap to store individual pieces in the freezer. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Jessica's Chocolate Date Cake has been included below. 

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

#WholeWheatThat’sGoodToEat!

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Printable "copy and paste" version:

Jessica's Chocolate Date Cake

from my daughter Jessica

350-degree oven

UPDATED: 06.12.2026

12 Medjool dates

1 c boiling water

3 eggs

1/2 c maple syrup

1 t vanilla

1/4 c light olive oil or avocado oil - we used avocado oil

1 c whole wheat flour - we use sprouted whole wheat flour

1/2 cocoa powder

1 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

Pit the Medjool dates, place them into the mixing bowl or the 4 cup glass measuring cup, cover with the boiling water. Let rest until barely warm. 

Once cooled, puree the dates and water together to make a date paste. Use the method you prefer. I have used a stick blender. 

Using the same mixing bowl, return the date paste to the mixing bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients. Using a whisk mix until the batter is smooth.

Pour batter into a prepared 8X8 baking pan. If baking in a glass pan, bake for 40 minutes. If using a metal pan, bake for 35-45 minutes. Do test for doneness!

Let cool and serve. 

Storage options for Jessica's Chocolate Date Cake. Cover well and store at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage time, store in the refrigerator or you may cut and wrap to store individual pieces in the freezer. 

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