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    Home » Recipes » Cake Recipes

    Spice Cake with Dates, Rye and Salted Caramel Drizzle

    Published: Mar 3, 2021 · Modified: Nov 18, 2024 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Oh Friends, THIS CAKE is the spice cake of my dreams. Earthy rye flour meets warm spices, dark brown sugar and soft, sweet dates. And it's all drizzled with a warm sweet-salty caramel sauce. It's no exaggeration to say that it is a new afternoon fika favorite around here.

    I'm going to have to insist that you give this easy and extraordinary spice cake a try.

    A slice of date cake drizzled with caramel on a plate next to a fork and cup of coffee.

    Why This Recipe Works

    This Spice Cake with Dates and Rye is remarkable because:

    • It's made with a combination of rye and all-purpose flour which lend deep, earthy flavor and structure, respectively.
    • The dates are chopped and softened in boiling water and are pleasantly distributed throughout the cake which adds sweetness, flavor and texture to the cake.
    • Instead of butter, this cake is made with canola or vegetable oil which creates an extra tender and moist crumb.

    The Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients for Spice Cake with Dates, Rye and Salted Caramel Drizzle.

    There are just a few ingredients to note in this simple cake:

    • A mix of rye flour and all-purpose flour. The rye flour is here for flavor and texture and the all-purpose flour provides the gluten structure to ensure that the cake rises properly and isn't too dense. For best flavor and a better nutritional profile, be sure to choose a dark rye flour.
    • Dates and baking soda. The dates here are chopped, combined with baking soda and covered with boiling water for 30 minutes. The baking soda and boiling water work together to help the skins of the dates soften which creates a better texture in the baked cake.
    • Cinnamon and cardamom. These are the warm spices that lend to the wonderful flavor of the cake.
    • A combination of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar. This provides just the right caramel-y sweetness to complement the dates without making the cake too sweet.
    • Canola or vegetable oil. It turns out that oil has more fat than butter (butter is part water), and the oil gives this cake a delightfully moist and tender crumb.
    • The 3 Ingredient Caramel Sauce that is drizzled over the top is certainly optional. A dusting of powdered sugar would be nice as well. BUT...the caramel sauce is SO simple and delicious with this cake. I highly recommend whipping up a batch while the cake cools. You won't be sorry!

    The Equipment

    A springform pan on a marble surface.

    A 9 inch springform pan works best for this cake because you can very easily detach the sides when you are ready to serve. That said, a 9 inch cake pan can be used instead, but it will require you to flip the cake out before serving.

    How To Make This Recipe

    This Spice Cake with Dates and Rye is really simple to put together....no mixer required!

    • Begin by softening the dates as they require 30 minutes to soak. Chop the dates and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the baking soda over the top and then pour boiling water over them until they are fully submerged. Cover with a plate or plastic wrap and let them sit for 30 minutes. DRAIN the dates and set aside.
    Chopped dates soaking in water.
    • Next, combine the flours, salt, baking powder, cardamom and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk together.
    Flour and a whisk in a glass bowl.

    • In a separate bowl, whisk the sugars, vanilla and oil together. Add the eggs and whisk until the mixture is light in color and homogenous in texture.
    • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredient and stir until the batter just comes together.
    • Add the dates and stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
    Date cake batter in a glass bowl with a spatula.
    • Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 inch springform pan and smooth the top. A small offset spatula works really well here.
    An offset spatula smoothing out the top of a cake in a pan.
    Date cake batter in a cake pan.
    • Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is puffed in the center and firm to the touch and a skewer inserted in to the center comes out clean.
    A date cake in a springform pan.
    • Let cool and serve with 3 Ingredient Salted Caramel Sauce, if desired.

    Expert Tips

    This cake is such an easy afternoon baking project, but I do have a few tips and tricks for ensuring that your cake is the best it can be every time:

    • Make sure your brown sugar is soft and fresh. This just helps it blend more easily with the oil, granulated sugar and vanilla extract.
    • Be careful not to under bake the cake. Sometimes this cake seems like it is done because it has puffed in the center, but if the center is actually not done, it will collapse in the center and be a bit gooey in texture. Still delicious but not ideal. Be sure the cake is firm in the center and bounces back when pressed with your finger. A skewer inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean.
    A slice of caramel-drizzled cake on a plate next to a fork and a cup of coffee.

    FAQs

    Can I substitute a different kind of flour for the rye?

    I really love the flavor of rye flour here, but yes, you could use whole wheat, white whole wheat, spelt or all-purpose flour in place of the rye.

    How do I store this cake?

    This cake stores well at room temperature wrapped tightly in plastic for a couple of days.

    Can I freeze this cake?

    Yes! It freezes well. It should be tightly wrapped in plastic and placed in a tightly sealed freezer bag. It will keep for about 6 weeks. Simply allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

    Can I use a store bought caramel sauce in place of the homemade sauce?

    Absolutely! If possible, try to find a salted caramel sauce as it really pairs nicely wit the sweetness of the cake.

    A close up of Spice Cake with Dates and Rye on a plate.

    I really hope you will give this moist and DELICIOUS Spice Cake with Dates and Rye a try. It's sure to become a new favorite. Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired cakes to pair with your afternoon coffee? I've got several here for you to choose from:

    • Sliced Swedish Almond Cake on a marble plate.
      Simple Swedish Almond Cake (Mandelkaka)
    • Closeup of a slice of kladdkaka on a plate next to a fork and raspberries.
      Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake (Kladdkaka)
    • Close up of a slice of Swedish Tosca Cake.
      Swedish Tosca Cake (Toscakaka)
    • Featured image for Simple Carrot Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
      Simple Carrot Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Recipe

    A slice of date cake drizzled with caramel on a plate next to a fork and cup of coffee.

    Spice Cake with Dates, Rye and Salted Caramel Drizzle

    A deliciously moist spice cake made with dates, warm spices and earthy rye flour and drizzled with warm salted caramel sauce before serving.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cake, Dessert, Fika
    Cuisine: Nordic, Nordic Scandinavian
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 359kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Equipment

    • 9 inch springform pan

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces chopped pitted dates about 1 ½ cups
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ cup canola oil
    • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ⅔ cup rye flour
    • 3 Ingredient Salted Caramel Sauce for serving optional but delicious

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 inch springform pan and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside. Combine dates and baking soda in a bowl and cover with boiling water until submerged. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes to allow the dates to soften. Drain the dates and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, whisk salt, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, flour and rye flour together in a large bowl. Set aside.
    • Whisk the sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract and oil together in a medium bowl. Add one egg at a time, whisking thoroughly until fully incorporated before adding the other egg.
    • Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, Mixing until just combined. Add the dates and mix until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
    • Spoon the mixture into the prepared springform pan. Smooth the top with a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake is firm to the touch in the center, about 40-45 minutes.
    • Allow to cool before removing the sides from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature with 3 Ingredient Salted Caramel Sauce if desired.

    Notes

    Make sure your brown sugar is soft and fresh. This just helps it blend more easily with the oil, granulated sugar and vanilla extract.
    Be careful not to under bake the cake. Sometimes this cake seems like it is done because it has puffed in the center, but if the center is actually not done, it will collapse in the center and be a bit gooey in texture. Still delicious but not ideal. Be sure the cake is firm in the center and bounces back when pressed with your finger. A skewer inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Spice Cake with Dates, Rye and Salted Caramel Drizzle and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Cake Recipes

    • Close up overhead view of White Chocolate Cake with a couple of slices cut.
      Heavenly White Chocolate Cloudberry Cake
    • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
      Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
    • Close up of Strawberry Roll Cake slices next to a fork.
      Strawberry Roll Cake (Swedish Rulltårta)
    • Featured image shot of Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling.
      Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling (Swedish Midsummer Cake)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle mauro

      March 25, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      I made this and had some Date syrup that I used in place of the caramel sauce. It is a really great cake, firm and still crumbly. I can cut it with a spoon while I enjoy a cup of tea. This was really delightful and easy to make. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Kristi

        March 25, 2021 at 5:40 pm

        Hi Michelle,

        Date syrup sounds amazing and super appropriate with this cake! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It has quickly become a family favorite around here. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a note!

        Kristi

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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