Open Arms of Minnesota

Recipe #109: Date Cake with Chocolate Icing

By Susan Pagani, Communications Director

Why do we love this cake? If you ask Chef Cassie and Volunteer Extraordinaire Lisa, it’s because it is tender, spongy and delicious, and as everyone knows, dates are so good for you they cancel out every ounce of sugar and butter.

In all seriousness, dates add a wonderful sweetness and moisture to this cake, much like a banana or applesauce will in baked goods. And they pack a nutritional wallop with antioxidants, iron, calcium and dietary fiber, so you can have your cake and feel healthy about it, too.

Dates and chocolate are a classic combination in Middle Eastern cooking — and a tasty one, as this cake demonstrates. We think it goes down marvelously with a cup of coffee and highly recommend eating a slice at breakfast.

Date Cake with Chocolate Icing

Cake:

1 cup (6 oz.) chopped dates
1 cup hot water
1 3/4 cup flour
3 tbsp. cocoa unsweetened
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter (at room temp.)
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 lg. eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and then:

1. Grease two 8-inch layer cake pans or one 9×13-inch pan. If using layer pans, cut and grease wax paper and line pans. You can also fill a muffin pan with liners and make cupcakes by scooping each liner 2/3 full of batter.
2. Put dates in small bowl and cover them with hot water. Set aside in refrigerator to cool.
3. Mix flour, cocoa and soda. Set aside.
4. In large bowl mix butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until well blended. 5. Stir in flour mixture alternately with dates and water (now somewhat cool/not boiling) until well blended. Fold in chips.
6. Spread the batter in prepared pans. Bake for 25-40 minutes — depending on if you are making cake or cupcakes — or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack.

Chocolate Ganache Icing:

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. Light-Corn Syrup
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Bean Extract
1. Heat the cream in medium saucepan until just simmering; remove from heat.
2. Add chocolate chips, corn syrup (for shine) and vanilla bean paste and stir until melted.
3. Drizzle icing onto the cake and spread with an icing spatula or dip tops of cupcakes into the warm chocolate ganache mixture. Let set in the fridge – enjoy!

More from Open Arms

Cena entre Panas graphic

CENA ENTRE PANAS: MÉXICO

Crasqui and Open Arms Friend Chef Soleil Ramirez To Host Event Benefitting Open Arms On Sept. 23 Chefs Noé Paredes and José Alarcón will join Open Arms Cultural Meals Program Latin America Menu Consultant Chef Soleil Ramirez for a night of bold flavors, creativity,

Read More »
phyllis

Phyllis’ Story

This Is Why We’re Here, Phyllis’ Story Thanks to our dedicated donors, we’ve been able to provide medically tailored meals—meals designed by our registered dietitians and prepared with care to meet the specific nutritional needs of each client. These meals are more than just

Read More »

Minneapolis Kitchen & Campus Update Sept. l, 2025

Open Arms Minneapolis Kitchen to Reopen Following Vehicle Incident Minneapolis, MN — The Open Arms of Minnesota Minneapolis Kitchen and Campus will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2, following the motor vehicle incident that occurred Friday morning. The safety of our community remains our highest priority.

Read More »

Moveable Feast 2025: The Show Goes On

No matter the challenges, Open Arms stands ready to face the future. Together, we will gather for a special production of Moveable Feast being held on Thursday, May 15 at the historic Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. We hope you and your cast of characters will join us in support of our clients!

IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, WE CAN SHOW LOVE IN ACTION!

When life feels overwhelming, there’s one thing we can control: showing care, love, and compassion to one another. This February, Give from the Heart in honor or memory of someone special. Your gift will provide life-saving medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to someone facing a critical illness. We’ll send a heartfelt card to your honoree or their family, sharing your loving tribute.

Open Arms of Minnesota Earns Accreditation from Food Is Medicine Coalition

Open Arms of Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based non-profit dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to individuals with critical illnesses, has earned accreditation from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition places Open Arms among an elite group of organizations nationwide that have demonstrated a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM).

End Of Year Giving Graphic

Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!