This simple and delicious Apple Date Cake with Pecan Streusel rises up tender and moist with little chunks of apple scattered throughout. It’s spiced just right with a wonderfully crunchy, pecan topping.
What sets this cake apart is the amount of refined sugar and fat. There’s only a 1/2 cup of sugar for the 9”x 13” cake. The pecan topping has 3 tbsp, making the total amount just under 3/4 cup for a large 9”x 13” cake that comes out 2” tall. It’s made with dates and applesauce for natural sweetness and added moisture, allowing the use of less oil. In this case only 1/4 cup in the cake. The bits of apple also add moisture and are evenly distributed by lightly dusting them with flour before adding to the batter. A great cake on its own, but serving it with slightly warm Spiced Rum Caramel really makes it special.
This lovely cake freezes well and will keep up to a month well wrapped. Simply thaw and cut when ready. Did I mention the Spiced Rum Caramel? Oh so good and simple to make too!
Author: Compelled To Cook
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pitted dates
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp spiced rum
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup peeled and cored chopped apple 14"-1/2" dice
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch salt
- In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients and set aside.
- In a medium sauce pan combine dates and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occationally until dates are very soft and pasty, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in spiced rum. Allow to cool slightly before adding to recipe.
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan with non-stick spray or butter. Line the pan with parchment, overhanging on two sides (this allows you to lift the cake out of the pan).
- While dates are cooling, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a seperate small bowl toss together chopped apple and 1 tbsp of flour. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together sugar and oil. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating after each. Add dates, applesauce and buttermilk whisking to fully combine.
- Whisk in dry ingredients until combined. Add diced apples, shaking off any excess flour as you add them. Stir to evenly distribute.
- Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle evenly with pecan streusel. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely prior to lifting out of the pan and cutting into desired portions. Serving with Spiced Rum Caramel is highly recommended.