My Top Picks

Chocolate Chip Date Cake

Source: Found on Pinterest

This cake is so moist and chocolatey, you don't even know there are dates in it.
The chocolate chips and walnuts on top are irresistible.

You can make in a 9 x 13 pan, two 8-inch pans or cupcakes.

Made for Valentines Day 2025

Ingredients

Dates

  • 1-1/2 c. hot water
  • 2 c. Medjool dates, about 16 oz. pitted & chopped (or use Dole, already chopped)
  • 1 t. baking soda

Cake

  • 1-3/4 c. unbleached all-purpose white flour
  • 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 t. salt
  • 3/4 t. baking soda
  • 1/2 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 c. white sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 t. vanilla extract
  • 2 c. dark or semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 c. walnuts, very coarsely chopped
  • vanilla ice cream for serving, optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Spray a 9- by 13-inch baking pan (see notes) with non-stick cooking spray and flour; set aside. PAM spray for baking (with flour) works too).

In a small saucepan, bring 1-1/2 cups of water to a boil. To a medium bowl, add chopped dates and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add the boiling water and set aside until needed.

Sift flour, cocoa powder, 3/4 teaspoons baking soda and salt over a bowl and set aside.

Beat butter and white sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment) at medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat on high for 1 minute.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat an additional 2 minutes. Add vanilla and mix well.

Add the sifted dry mixture and beat on low until well combined.

Add the cooled date mixture and continue to beat for 30 seconds.

Remove the mixer and thoroughly combine with a spatula.

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly, including corners.

Bake for 18 minutes, until the cake starts to dry and rise. Keep an eye on it.

Take out of the oven, quickly sprinkle chocolate chips and walnuts on top, then return to the oven to bake for another 20 to 25 more minutes, until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remember there are chocolate chips on top, not to confuse them with uncooked batter.

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.

Serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is optional.