Date and Walnut Cake - Hold the Butter, Sugar, and Eggs!

I never would have believed it if I hadn't tried it, but this cake -- with no butter, no sugar and no eggs -- is downright delicious. OK, so you're never going to throw your favorite chocolate layer cake with buttercream frosting overboard, but if you want a healthier version of a snack cake that won't give you a guilt trip, try this recipe from Cooking With Renu. She made hers with vegan milk and whole wheat flour, but I substituted buttermilk and white flour in my version. I also added more walnuts than her recipe calls for. If you're trying to cut back on your sugar or butter intake, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good this cake can be for satisfying your sweet tooth.

It's simple to make with just a spoon too, although it takes a little advance prep to soak the dates in the milk for a few hours, or overnight, as I did. When you're ready to prepare the rest of the ingredients, just whir the buttermilk and dates in a food processor (or blender) to get a puree, the basis of the cake's sweetness. 

It will look like this when you place the batter into a loaf pan.

It comes out of the oven without a "dome" but that's perfectly fine.

The only sugar in this cake is the confectioner's sugar I used to decorate the top.

It is tender, moist and easy to make too. So get yourself some dates and start baking!

Click here to connect with me on Instagram and find out what’s cooking in Ciao Chow Linda’s kitchen each day (and more)

No Butter, No Sugar, No Eggs Date and Walnut Cake

Adapted from Cooking with Renu

• 1 8 ounce package of pitted dates 8-20 dates 
• 1 1/2 cup buttermilk (regular or vegan milk can be used) 
• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
• ½ cup oil plus one tablespoon (I used canola oil)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

Slightly warm the milk and de-seed and soak the dates overnight in the refrigerator, or for at least 4-5 hours. 

Toast the walnuts slightly in the oven or on the stove to get a more intense flavor, but be careful not to let them burn. Let them cool.

Once the dates are soaked, blend the dates along with the milk into a smooth paste using a food processor or blender. Mine wasn't completed pureed, but had some small bits of dates that weren't quite liquified. That's fine.

Place the flour, baking soda, baking powder and walnuts in a bowl. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix in the date mixture, the vanilla and the oil.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking after 30 minutes for doneness.

If desired, sprinkle the top with confectioner's sugar after it has cooled.