Description
This Sticky Orange Date Cake with Clove Syrup offers a moist, flavorful dessert, blending the richness of dates with fragrant orange zest and warming spices like cardamom and cloves. Enhanced by a sweet and aromatic clove syrup infused with fresh orange juice, this cake is perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 200g (1 â…” cups) all-purpose flour
- 150g (¾ cup) brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 150g pitted dates, chopped
- 3 large eggs
- 120ml (½ cup) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 100ml (â…“ cup + 1 tbsp) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Clove Syrup
- 200g (1 cup) brown sugar
- 250ml (1 cup) water
- 3–4 whole cloves
- Juice of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cardamom, ground cloves, and salt until well combined.
- Zest and chop: Zest two oranges and chop the pitted dates into small pieces, then set aside these ingredients for later incorporation.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add freshly squeezed orange juice, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to combine.
- Mix wet and dry: Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then fold in the chopped dates and orange zest carefully to ensure an even distribution without overmixing.
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease or line a baking pan suitable for the batter size.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the surface, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Make clove syrup: While the cake bakes, combine brown sugar, water, whole cloves, and orange juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the syrup with clove flavor.
- Apply the syrup: Once the cake is out of the oven and has cooled slightly, prick the surface multiple times with a skewer or fork, then slowly pour the warm clove syrup over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool completely so the syrup can fully absorb and the flavors meld before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the dates are finely chopped so they distribute evenly throughout the cake batter.
- If you prefer a less dense syrup, you can reduce the simmering time slightly.
- This cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and ensure brown sugar is vegan-certified.
- Use fresh orange juice for the best citrus flavor in both the cake and syrup.
