Egg-Less, Sugar-Less, Butter-Less Dates & Walnut Cake or a Vegan Dates and Walnut Cake is a simple and rich cake loaded with dates and walnut or pecans.
Sugar-free Dates and Walnut Vegan Cake
The cake is processed and sugar-free. It has all the natural sugars from dates and there is no added white, brown, or any form of sugar.
Having said that one still needs to consume this or dates in moderation as it still has natural sugar and people having resistance to sugar especially should take care.
Why Sugar-Free and Eggless Cake?
I made this cake, especially for my parents when they visited me in 2018. My parents do not eat cakes, or I would say store-bought cakes. They do not prefer cakes with icing and do not eat eggs.
The cakes which come for birthday parties are decorated with cream and sugar which is generally not liked by them either. They just like to enjoy the sponge without egg and chocolate.
And my mom cannot eat sugar or have it occasionally as she is diabetic. So I decided to do something which does not have added sugar or has natural sugar in it. Then my dad does not like things with Maida/APF/Plain flour, so I made it using Whole wheat flour. Yes, a bit of a challenge at times.
I have made this cake several times for me and my kids. I made this again last month for my dad and he absolutely loved it. Every day he ate a bit to satisfy his sugar carvings. What a delicious way to enjoy treats minus the sugar.
The texture of the Egg-Less, Sugar-Less, Butter-Less Dates & Walnut Cake
The cake had the perfect texture. you will not miss the butter, sugar, or eggs here. It comes out soft and porous as you can see below pic. It is light and airy.
Feedback on dates and Walnut Cake by Family
My dad commented that sugar is not needed at all. My then 8-year-old tried it as the cake color was brown and he thought was a chocolate cake. He gobbled the piece happily and commented out I like it and was happily eating it the next day too. Seeing him my 2-year-old also ate :-). Wow-what do I need more, I was happily feeding my son dates and walnuts without him cribbing. My dad enjoyed it and my mom can have something sweet to satisfy her taste buds.
Now my 2-year-old who is now 7 years, tried it. She loved it and was happily enjoying it. The only thing is she does not like nuts in a cake, so maybe next time I will skip the nuts for her.
Feedback from my followers
Also if you read the comments below from my blog followers you can see that the cake really comes out good. Give it a try and if you like it, rate and comment your feedback on the recipe. It helps my blog and my followers.
Recipe Process of Egg-Less, Sugar-Less, Butter-Less Dates & Walnut Cake
This is a very simple cake, but some planning is needed as we need to soak the dates in milk for 4-5 hours at least. I leave it overnight to soak if I have time.
The next day all you do is blend the dates and milk into a smooth puree. Sift the dry ingredients and mix everything together. Bake and you are all set.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Type of Dates to use
Any type of dates can be used here. But I would recommend using a soft variety of dates. A soft variety of dates will easily form into a paste and mix well in a cake. A soft variety of dates is also sweeter as compared to dried ones. I have used the Sukkary Dates Variety.
Sweetness and Flavour of Cake
As said I have literally not added any sugar, I was skeptical about the sweetness of the cake. As sometimes when dates are added to flour the sweetness reduces. But to my surprise, it was perfect.
One important thing to keep in mind is such cakes develop flavor and taste after a day. If you are eating it warm or immediately, you might not get much flavor and may feel it lacks sweetness. But give it some time. I would recommend consuming the cake the next day or at least waiting for 6-12 hours if you can.
Milk for Vegan Dates & Walnut Cake
One can use normal cow milk or vegan milk. The choice is yours. Any type of vegan milk will work here.
Nuts
I use walnuts or pecans in this recipe. One can use either or.
Flour
I have used whole wheat flour in this recipe. One can replace it with all-purpose or plain flour or maida.
Leavening Agents
Baking powder and baking soda are used as leavening agents.
Oil
I have used vegetable oil. One can use any vegan oil.
How long can this cake be stored?
This cake can be stored for 4-5 days at room temperature. If the weather is warm at your place better keep it in the refrigerator. You can enjoy this cake guilt-free (in moderate proportions of course) and can be made for parties or when you are traveling.
Can we freeze this cake?
Yes, this cake can be frozen. Let the cake cool down completely. Slice it and arrange it on a baking tray. Keep the baking tray in the freezer. Once the slices are frozen, remove, and store them in an air-tight container or a zip lock. When required, defrost or microwave it and enjoy.
Cake without Leavening Agents
Did you check our most popular Lemon Cake on the blog, which does not have any baking powder or baking soda? Yes, you heard it right, A cake without leavening agents.
Gluten Free Cake & Sugarless Breakfast Breads
And if you want to check out more such sugarless or natural sugar cakes, check out this Gluten Free Double Chocolate Banana Bread which has been sweetened using bananas and dark chocolate, or this finger millet Gluten-Free & Vegan Ragi Banana Cake.
If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth and at the same time have some breakfast bread for you, check out this Sugarless & Vegan Apple and Carrot Loaf. This cake again has all-natural sugars and freezes well. Slice and you are sorted for a few days of your breakfast. And similarly, this Sugarless Multiseed Rye Bread has natural sugar from dates and bananas. A perfect breakfast to boost your energy.
Egg-Less, Sugar-Less, Butter-Less Dates & Walnut Cake (Vegan)
Equipment
- loaf pan (9 * 5 inches)
Ingredients
- 18-20 -170 grams – Dates
- 1 1/4 Cup Vegan Milk – Vegan or normal non-vegan milk can be used
- 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour – can be replaced with all purpose / plain flour / maida
- 1/2 Cup Oil
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 tbsp Walnuts/Pecans
Instructions
- Slightly warm the milk and de-seed and soak the date for 4-5 hours. More or less time might be required depending on the Dates1 1/4 Cup Vegan Milk, 18-20 -170 grams – Dates
- Dry roast the Walnuts or Pecans on medium on stove top or in an oven until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Let them cool.1 tbsp Walnuts/Pecans
- Once the dates are soaked, blend the dates along with the milk it is soaked in to a smooth paste.
- Add oil and mix1/2 Cup Oil
- Sieve the flour, Baking Soda and Baking Powder.1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- Chop the nuts roughly.
- Add the nuts into the dry flour and mix.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mix and mix slowly.
- One can add 4-5 tablespoon of sugar if you feel it is not sweet. I did not add any.
- Bake in preheated oven at 170 Deg C for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. I baked in a Loaf tin, one can bake this in a square tin or a round tin. Baking time will vary depending on the size and shape of the cake pan.
Video
Notes
- 1 Cup = 235 ml, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml
- One can add 4-5 tbsp sugar if required.
- Baking Times can vary, so anytime you bake do keep an eye on the cake 5-10 minutes before the baking time specified in the recipe.
- I have used the Sukkary Dates Variety.
Updates
This post was on 24th August 2018 on my blog. Today, 12th August 2023, I am updating the contents, and adding more pics and step-by-step pics.
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vc
Monday 25th of August 2025
Hello! i want to try this recipe but without oil and with bananas and eggs maybe? would that be possible?
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Monday 25th of August 2025
I have not tried it without it, You can give it a try if you wish too. I am not sure of the outcome.
Shoba
Sunday 24th of August 2025
This is really really delicious sugarless dates cake!! It's so easy to make. I love it.It's so spongy. Thank you so much dear Renu.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Monday 25th of August 2025
Welcome Dear
Shikha
Thursday 14th of August 2025
Hi can this receipe me doubled to make 1kg cake ?
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Thursday 14th of August 2025
Hi, Yes you can double the recipe, just make sure the pan size is correct. I am not sure in Kgs how much it will come. Thanks, Renu
Mary Frances
Sunday 3rd of August 2025
Is ONE tablespoon of walnuts correct? That seems like a very tiny amount of nuts.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Monday 4th of August 2025
Yes it is, But definetly you can add more. I do add upto 1/4 Cup. IT is as per liking too, when I want my daughter to eat, I add less as per recipe, but when it is for me or others who like, I add more. You can even garnish on the top.
Lauren
Tuesday 17th of June 2025
I made some mistakes with your recipe. I had already soaked dates in hot water overnight so they had probably absorbed water and not the milk you soak yours in. So the cake is wobbly and very moist even after cooking for another 15 minutes. So I probably needed less milk. I am also using gluten free flour so maybe that has made a difference. Anyway, I will try it again and do it exactly as per your method.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
Thursday 19th of June 2025
Yes flour's make a lot of difference in baking. This is eggless too but the dates and milk mixture makes it a bit gel like. I think your flour is not holding it and hence it is wobbly. If you can add 1-2 tablespoon of Chia or flax seed powder in the milk mix It will help. If you are adding the chia or flax seed powder add it 15 minutes in your liquid before you mix everything for it to absorb the liquid and make it gel like.
I am however not sure if it will work or not, as the ingredients of gluten-free flour can vary too.