Easy Gluten-Free Date Cake – Made with Buckwheat Flour

Sue Maree P -

Looking for an easy and delicious gluten-free date cake? This moist and fluffy buckwheat flour date cake is simple to make and perfect for tea time or dessert. Baked in a small loaf tin, it's made with pantry staples like buckwheat flour, chopped dates, brown sugar, eggs, milk, spices, and butter (or your preferred alternatives).
This easy gluten-free date cake recipe is super flexible—you can swap flours, adjust sweetness, or make it dairy-free. Just be sure to weigh your flour for the best results. Serve on its own or with a spread of butter. It's a cosy classic you'll want to make again and again.

Takes = 10 mins to prep.
Bakes = 45 mins
Makes small loaf = 8 to 10 slices

Ingredients

  • Chopped dates – 140g (1 cup)*
    *save 1+1/2 heaped tsp to add to the top of the cake
  • Boiling water – 1/4 cup
  • Dark brown Sugar - 150g (2/3 cup packed)
  • Oat Milk (or whole milk) – 100ml (1/3 cup + 1 + 1 tsp)
  • Large Eggs – 2
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
  • Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp
  • Ground ginger – 1/2 tsp
  • Unsalted butter – 125g (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp)
  • Flour (I use buckwheat) – 200g (1 cup + 1/4 cup)
  • Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) – 1 tsp
  • Baking Powder – 1 tsp

Method

  1. OVEN preheat to 170˚C and butter and paper line a small loaf tin
  2. SOAK chopped dates in a 1/4 cup of boiling water and 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda. Rest for 10 minutes.
  3. MIX together unsalted butter and sugar
  4. ADD in eggs one at a time and vanilla.
  5. WHISK the flour, baking powder and spices
  6. FOLD in the flour, baking powder and spices.
  7. FOLD in soaked dates (leave some aside for the top)
  8. ADD in milk and mix through until totally combined.
  9. POUR into the baking tin and add a few tablespoons of chopped dates to the top and a sprinkle of white sugar (optional).
  10. BAKE 40-50 mins
  11. COOL for around 10 minutes before removing it from the tin.

Sue Maree P Baking Tips

  • Flour – swap out for your favourite flour
  • Butter – this could also work using dairy free butter for a vegan option
  • Eggs – swap out for flax egg for a vegan option
  • Milk – I love oat milk but use whole milk or your preferred milk. I don't bake with soya or almond so I can't recommend using those. I find oat milk performs well in baking.
  • Nuts – you could add walnuts as they pair well with dates. Firstly roast the walnuts on a lined baking tray for 7-10 mins then chop finely. Leave some aside to add to the top of the cake.