Apple Date Cake with Pecan Streusel

Apple Date Cake with Pecan Streusel

by | Dec 8, 2018 | DESSERTS, CAKES AND SQUARES | 0 comments

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

Apple Date Cake with Pecan Streusel
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    20-24 pieces 40 minutes
    Cook Time
    40 minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    20-24 pieces 40 minutes
    Cook Time
    40 minutes
    Apple Date Cake with Pecan Streusel
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      20-24 pieces 40 minutes
      Cook Time
      40 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      20-24 pieces 40 minutes
      Cook Time
      40 minutes
      Ingredients
      Apple Date Cake
      Pecan Streusel
      Servings: pieces
      Instructions
      Pecan Streusel
      1. In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients and set aside.
      Apple Date Cake
      1. 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.
      2. 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).
      3. While dates are cooling, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
      4. In a seperate small bowl toss together chopped apple and 1 tbsp of flour. Set aside.
      5. 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.
      6. Whisk in dry ingredients until combined. Add diced apples, shaking off any excess flour as you add them. Stir to evenly distribute.
      7. 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.
      8. Allow to cool completely prior to lifting out of the pan and cutting into desired portions. Serving with Spiced Rum Caramel is highly recommended.

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      Cardamom Date Squares

      Cardamom Date Squares

      by | Sep 9, 2018 | DESSERTS, CAKES AND SQUARES | 0 comments

      These are no culinary school squares, in fact, Cardamom Date Squares are far from the many cakes and pastries I made while attending culinary school.  Truth is, I don’t remember making many squares like this. The focus was all about pastries, cakes, and classics like Peach Melba and Crepes Suzette.  However, at the time as a young adult, I still had to live in the real world, and happily collected an array of home maker popular books such as Company’s Coming, Best of Bridge and Betty Crocker.   

      It’s within these dated books that I find some of the best treats, including my favourite recipe for Date Squares.  Being who I am though, left me no alternative but to give the recipe a tweak in Compelled To Cook fashion, and Cardamom Date Squares emerged, buttery and golden from my kitchen. A splash of orange juice and a sprinkle of cardamom gives my favourite date square a hint of something different and delicious. I’m in no way a hoarder, but there are certain books I refuse to get rid of, no matter how old and out dated they are.  Because in my mind they’re a classic in their own right.  

      Recipe for Cardamom Date Squares adapted from:  Company’s Coming Matrimonial Squares

      Cardamom Date Squares
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        36 squares 40 minutes
        Cook Time
        30 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        36 squares 40 minutes
        Cook Time
        30 minutes
        Cardamom Date Squares
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          36 squares 40 minutes
          Cook Time
          30 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          36 squares 40 minutes
          Cook Time
          30 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: squares
          Instructions
          1. Preheat oven to 350℉ and lightly butter a 9"x9" baking pan. Line bottom and two sides with parchment, allowing a slight overhang.
          2. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat combine dates, granulated sugar, orange juice and water. Allow to come to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 until soft and jammy. Remove from heat and set aside.
          3. In a large bowl combine oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, cardamom, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter using your fingers or pastry cutter until well combined and mixture holds together when lightly squeezed.
          4. Evenly press a generous half of oat mixture (about 3 cups) into the bottom of prepared pan. Spread dates evenly over oats. Add remaining oat mixture, pressing slightly. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Remove from pan by lifting the overhanging parchment and cut into desired squares.

          Maple Date and Nut Snack Bites

          Maple Date and Nut Snack Bites

          by | Jun 29, 2017 | SNACKS, VEGAN, VEGETARIAN | 0 comments

          Maple Date and Nut Snack Bites make a nutritious snack that’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and dates. Packed with nuts, almond butter and hemp seeds they’re a great source of protein, omega 3 fats and essential minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Easy to mix together and pack in your lunch or stuff in your back pack or purse to give you a healthy energy boost throughout your day or satisfy your sweet tooth.  A great change from that ordinary granola bar.  Enjoy!

          Recipe source for Maple Date and Nut Snack Bites:  Compelled To Cook

           

          Maple Date and Nut Snack Bites
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            36 bites 30 minutes
            Passive Time
            20 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            36 bites 30 minutes
            Passive Time
            20 minutes
            Maple Date and Nut Snack Bites
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              36 bites 30 minutes
              Passive Time
              20 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              36 bites 30 minutes
              Passive Time
              20 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: bites
              Instructions
              1. Combine all ingredients except white chocolate in a food processor bowl. Pulse until combined to a fine meal. Form mixture into approximate 1 ounce balls and place onto a large parchment lined tray.
              2. Melt white chocolate over a double boiler or microwave at 30 second intervals and stir until smooth. Drizzle chocolate over snack bites. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes.
              Recipe Notes

              Will keep refrigerated for several days in a sealed container or can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I usually opt to freeze and remove snack bites as needed.