Remember all those dates I bought during a trip to Shields Date Garden? I’ve already been putting them to use, and not just by shoving them into my mouth and spitting out the pits like a semi-automatic weapon. I’ve been using them in recipes, like this cake recipe I found in vintage community church cookbook from 1953. Dates were all the rage back in the day.

This cake is moist, sweet, and nutty. It’s like a coffee cake or banana bread in flavor and consistency.

The recipe is super easy and requires almost no skill. You basically just dump everything in a bowl and bake it.

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped dates (medjool dates are perfect. They’re soft and sweet)
1 cup chopped nuts (The original recipe calls for walnuts. I used pecans. Almonds also work well.)
1 cup hot water
1 level tsp. baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour

Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

In a bowl, pour hot water over dates and nuts. Let cool while making the rest of the cake. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar together. Add egg, date/nut/water mixture, baking soda, and flour. Mix well and pour into cake or bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Sidenote: How cute is my new cake stand from Oh Joy for Target?

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