Description
A moist and richly spiced Clove-Spiced Date & Treacle Slab Cake featuring warm spices like cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, combined with sweet dates and dark treacle for a deeply flavorful treat. This cozy cake is perfect for autumn or winter gatherings, offering a comforting and indulgent dessert with a sticky, sweet glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake
- 200 grams (7 oz) pitted dates, chopped
- 250 milliliters (1 cup) boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 125 grams (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 150 grams (3/4 cup) brown sugar
- 100 grams (1/2 cup) treacle (or molasses)
- 2 large eggs
- 200 grams (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Glaze
- 100 grams (1/2 cup) treacle (or molasses)
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Soak Dates: In a bowl, combine the chopped dates and baking soda. Pour the boiling water over the dates and let them soak for about 15-20 minutes until softened.
- Prepare Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a rectangular baking pan (approximately 9×13 inches) with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This creates a creamy base for the batter.
- Add Treacle and Eggs: Mix in the treacle until well combined. Then, add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and baking powder in another bowl.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the soaked dates (including the soaking water). Stir gently until just combined. If desired, fold in the chopped nuts for added texture.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cake bakes, melt treacle, butter, and milk together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth and combined.
- Glaze the Cake: Remove the baked cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, pour the warm glaze over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing. Serve on a simple white plate and enjoy the moist, spiced flavors.
Notes
- Chopped nuts are optional but add a pleasant crunch and texture to the cake.
- Treacle can be substituted with molasses if not available.
- Ensure the dates are well soaked to achieve a moist cake texture.
- Use parchment paper in the baking pan for easy removal and cleanup.
- The glaze adds a shiny, sticky finish enhancing the rich flavor of the cake.
