Nigella Lawson’s Banana and Date Cake is made with dates, rum, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, butter, sugar, eggs, bananas, cranberries, and vanilla extract. This tasty cake takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes to prepare and serves up to 8 people.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love Banana And Date Cake Recipe
- Moist and Flavorful: The combination of ripe bananas and rum-soaked dates gives this cake a rich, moist texture and deep flavor.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, this recipe is perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers.
- Sweet and Fruity: Dried cranberries add a lovely burst of tartness, balancing the sweetness of the bananas and dates.
- Perfect for Sharing: This cake makes a generous amount, ideal for serving at gatherings or enjoying with family and friends.
- Versatile: Enjoy it as a dessert, a snack, or even for breakfast with your morning coffee.
🍌 Nigella Banana And Date Cake Ingredients
- 100g chopped dates (about 3.5 oz)
- 75ml rum (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
- 2/3 cup sugar (granulated sugar)
- 2 eggs
- 4 small ripe bananas (about 300g without skin, or 10.5 oz), mashed
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
🥮 How To Make Nigella Banana And Date Cake
- Prepare the Dates: Place chopped dates and rum in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit for an hour. The dates should absorb the liquid.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs, then add mashed bananas. Stir in the soaked dates, dried cranberries, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in thirds, stirring well after each addition.
- Bake: Pour batter into a greased and lined loaf tin. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 1 to 1.25 hours. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the tin before slicing and serving.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Measure Ingredients Carefully: Use the right tools for accurate measurements to get the best texture.
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: Make sure bananas are overripe and well-mashed for more flavor and moisture.
- Soak Dates Well: Let dates soak in rum until they absorb most of the liquid for a better texture.
- Mix Gently: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Check Doneness: Test with a skewer in the center of the cake; it should come out mostly clean. If not, bake a bit longer.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Banana And Date Cake?
- Refrigerate: Cool leftovers banana and date cake to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 1 week.
- Freeze: Wrap leftovers banana and date cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil and put it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
☕ What To Serve With Banana And Date Cake?
This moist Banana and Date Cake pairs well with a cup of tea or coffee, a dollop of yogurt, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. It can also be served alongside fresh fruit, a light salad, or a handful of nuts for a tasty snack or dessert.
FAQ’S:
What If My Banana And Date Cake Batter Is Too Thick?
If your batter is too thick, you can add a little milk or water to reach the desired consistency. Add a tablespoon at a time until the batter is easily stirrable but not runny.
Can I Substitute Melted Butter With Oil?
Yes, you can use vegetable oil or coconut oil instead of melted butter. The texture will be slightly different, but the cake will still be moist.
How Do I Avoid A Dry Banana And Date Cake?
Make sure you measure the flour correctly and avoid overmixing the batter. Adding too much flour or mixing too much can lead to a dry cake.
Can I Use Fresh Dates Instead Of Dried Dates?
Fresh dates can be used, but they have a higher moisture content. If using fresh dates, reduce any additional liquid in the recipe to maintain the correct batter consistency.
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Nigella Banana And Date Cake Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 292
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 130mg
- Potassium: 228mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 25g
- Protein: 4g
Nigella Banana And Date Cake
Description
Nigella Lawson’s Banana and Date Cake is made with dates, rum, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, butter, sugar, eggs, bananas, cranberries, and vanilla extract. This tasty cake takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes to prepare and serves up to 8 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Dates: Place chopped dates and rum in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit for an hour. The dates should absorb the liquid.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs, then add mashed bananas. Stir in the soaked dates, dried cranberries, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in thirds, stirring well after each addition.
- Bake: Pour batter into a greased and lined loaf tin. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 1 to 1.25 hours. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the tin before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Measure Ingredients Carefully: Use the right tools for accurate measurements to get the best texture.
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: Make sure bananas are overripe and well-mashed for more flavor and moisture.
- Soak Dates Well: Let dates soak in rum until they absorb most of the liquid for a better texture.
- Mix Gently: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Check Doneness: Test with a skewer in the center of the cake; it should come out mostly clean. If not, bake a bit longer.