Date Coffee Loaf Cake with Espresso Glaze

Preparation

1️⃣ Prepare the Dates

• Place the chopped dates in a bowl. Smaller pieces soften more evenly, making them easier to blend into the batter.
• Pour the 1/2 cup of hot coffee over the dates, ensuring they are fully moistened. Allow them to sit for about 10 minutes.

As the dates soak, they absorb the hot coffee and soften noticeably. The mixture should become slightly syrupy, helping the fruit blend seamlessly into the batter and infuse the cake with a deeper coffee aroma.

2️⃣ Cake Batter

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing the pan and lining it with parchment paper before mixing the batter helps streamline the baking process and ensures the loaf releases easily once cooled.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until these dry ingredients are well combined and no streaks of spice remain. This prevents uneven leavening or pockets of cinnamon in the finished cake.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps incorporate air into the mixture, giving the loaf better lift and a softer texture. The mixture should appear pale and slightly increased in volume.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition. The batter may look slightly looser, but it should remain smooth with no visible streaks of egg.
5. Add the vanilla and mix briefly to incorporate. At this stage, the aroma should become richer and more fragrant.
6. Add the softened dates along with the coffee they were soaked in. The mixture will darken and loosen slightly as the warm liquid folds into the butter mixture.
7. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula rather than a mixer. This prevents overworking the batter, which could lead to a dense texture. The dough should become thick and evenly colored, with no visible dry spots.
8. Fold in the chopped walnuts. They should be distributed evenly without sinking; the thickness of the batter naturally keeps them suspended throughout the loaf.

The final batter should be slightly dark, thick, and aromatic, with noticeable flecks of dates and walnuts throughout.

3️⃣ Baking