So the internet is awash with chocolate cake recipes. Dark chocolate cake. Flourless chocolate cake. Fudgy chocolate cake. Full fat with whipped cream chocolate cake. Low fat chocolate cakes. Mud cake. Chocolate and fruit/nuts/booze/ cake.
In my time I have baked and eaten many, many chocolate cakes. Many are not worthy of the time or calories. Often they are insipid. Or dry. Or forgettable.
This is the chocolate cake that you have been waiting for.
It is rich without being heavy. Moist without being wet (if you know what I mean). Best of all it is a super cinch to make. Not an overly attractive cake it is a true example of substance over style. It is an after-dinner cake for those with a sophisticated palate. Having said that Miss-only-just-turned-7 took a piece in her lunchbox recently and raved about it. So it is an intergenerational winner, obvs.
Serve it with cream. Ice cream. Custard. Or pair it, like I did, with another simple yet luxurious recipe: salted caramel sauce. Link is here: http://bit.ly/1vktYAC
This is an AWW recipe from many moons ago, found in my beloved Quick Mix Cakes book. I reduced the sugar.
GATHER:
1 cup chopped dried dates (use scissors as it is quicker than chopping)
250grams butter, diced
1 ¾ cups water
1/3 cup cocoa
1 2/3 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
¾ cup caster sugar
LET’S GET TO IT:
Grease a 19x29cm slice pan an cover with non-stick baking paper, extending 5cm above the top.
In a large saucepan mix together dates, butter, water, sugar and cocoa. Bring to the boil while stirring; ten simmer uncovered for five minutes.
Set aside to allow to cool to room temperature.
Stir flour and bicarb into mixture.
Pour into pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
Stand in pan for 5 minutes before turning onto wire rack to cool.
the hungry mum 
This looks so good, great post, I’m now super hungry! 😀
Thanks! I’m hungry, too #hungryByNameHungryByNature
This looks scrumptious! I love the idea of the dates in this, and it looks so moist, simple and beautiful! The salted caramel sauce sure doesn’t hurt, either! 🙂
You are my number one cheerleader, Ms Frugal! Thank you! I’m actually not a fan of dates but they really work in this cake.
I love dates! I bet they just dissolve into nothing more than a moist, deep, rich flavor in this cake, though.
Superb; I love cake recipes with dates…they are so moist. Also really great that it seems like a slice/cake – brilliant for lunchboxes; picnics; and after dinner x
Thanks! This is a really versatile cake – I have sent it in lunchboxes, taken it to work to share with friends for morning tea, served as dessert… it always works!
It really does sound like the perfect chocolate cake! Definitely want some of that sauce too.
It is the hardest working cake in my kitchen 🙂
Yes its a goody . I know that cause it’s got dates in it . Very good looking cake there Mumma!
I like the way you think 🙂
Oh this chocolate cake looks and sounds delish!!
I’ll let you in o a secret – it really is!
so nice!
http://fashionforlunch.net
cheers!
This cake looks easy and delicious. I agree about having lots of bad chocolate cake — I always order chocolate cake for dessert when I am out to dinner hoping I will finally have a great piece of chocolate cake, but this is never the case!. Insipid is the perfect word. I can’t wait to make your cake for my family. Thanks for sharing.
Easy & delish is my baking motto – ain’t got time for faffing about with complicated recipes and lots of steps! I now ask if desserts are made in-house before ordering – if not I don’t bother – bad cake isn’t worth the calories!
This looks so good! My husband LOVES chocolate, and this sounds like just the dessert for him. I will definitely try it soon. Great pictures, too! : )
Awww, ta! I hope you get a chance to make it for hubby (and ensure you sneak a slice, too!)
You wont believe it but one winter break I tried 8 different chocolate cake recipes and was unhappy with ALL of them until I finally tried a recipe from “Two Peas in a Pod” but I am excited to see your use of dates so I will have to try this one out as well 🙂
Eight! Wow, what a committed baker you are. It is so annoying when cakes are a let down, isn’t it? I love Two Peas in a Pod – their blog is so inspiring. Hope you love this cake.
Sounds fantastic 😀
Thanks Sarah 🙂
Very yum! I like the idea of using dates – I bet they make it super moist. And I reckon that with that sauce it actually looks very stylish 🙂
You’re right – the dates really do keep it so moist for ages. The sauce is the icing on the cake, as it were x
very unique recipe with no sugar!
There’s sugar in there 🙂
Yes, that’s true. 🙂 But it’s loaded with dates, I love it!
Noice one Mrs H. Great inclusion of dates and knocking back the sugar. 😊
This looks like the perfect chocolate cake! Yum! You are so right that many can be so unforgettable but chocolate cake really should be simple and straight forward 🙂
You have to stop doing this to me, you’re like my favourite person.
Hehehe! I’m on a mission to make everyone as hungry as me 🙂
Ahhh…dates… the jewels of Persia!
You should try them on their own. Delicious!
Thanks Horst! Jewels of Persia, eh? V poetic 🙂
A cake that is gorgeous in it’s simplicity! Sounds like a winner to me and to your little one!
Cheers Sammie – it is all you need and nothing you don’t.
what fun 🙂 Love that there are dates in here. Looks delicious and yes, we’re always searching for that perfect chocolate cake recipe. Yours just could be it!
Oooh, the pressure! Hope it lives up your expectations 🙂
I love how the cake has no sugar and is made with natural sugars from the date. I think it’s a great looking cake and that it would go so very well with a lovely pour of custard xx
There is sugar, I just reduced the amount from the original 🙂
sounds positively perfect!!
Aren’t you kind – thanks so much.
Yum this cake looks delicious!!!
cheers 🙂
Always keen to try a new chocolate cake recipe! 🙂 I’m intrigued by the use of dates, which must add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the flavour, without being overpowering. Another one of your delicious cakes I’m going to have to try HM… thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Margot. It isn’t ‘date-y’, despite the dates, they sorta mush down and meld into the background while remaining moist. That doesn’t sound great, does it…?
ooh the addition of chopped dates to make a nice chocolate cake sounds brilliant!
It doesn’t taste overally date-y, just adds a lovely moistness. Hate that word but it really does 😉
Oh, wow! This looks incredibly good! Terrific cake — thanks.
Cheers! It is rather fab.
Yum! 🙂
As are your images… 😉 😉
thanks Carolyn 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend.
And you… 😀
Oh my, I love the chocolate in there and sweetened by pure goodness 🙂
My husband will be over the moon if I can do this for him, Will try soon. Thank you 🙂
That sauce looks amazing! SO glad l have discovered your blog 🙂
thanks! Hope you find something to make you hungry 😉
If ‘Miss 7’ likes this cake, it must be good!
Waw! A fantastic cake & that salted caramel sauce looks reammy awesome too! I love your inviting amazing pictures too! Another must make! yummmmmm!
So many kind words 🙂 Thanks Sophie, hope I’ve made you hungry!
ooh yes, but it is breakfast time over here!
hehehe! Cake is a great way to start the day #badInfluence
hahahahhahah!
That looks delicious! I love chocolate, but chocolate cake is usually just meh! I am going to have to give this a try!
Cheers Carlee – this is really moist and dense, which is my kinda cake x