This Black Tea Date Loaf Cake is a moist, warmly spiced loaf made by soaking soft dates in Russel’s Ceylon Pure Relaxing Black Tea, then combining them with Heritage Organic Coconut Sugar, walnuts, coconut and cinnamon. It makes one loaf of approximately 8–10 slices and is ideal for afternoon tea at home.
Preparation: 20 minutes
Baking: 50–55 minutes
Total time: 70–75 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf, 8–10 slices
Oven: 160°C
Tin: 21 × 11 cm loaf tin
Ingredients
- 200 g soft dates, pitted and roughly chopped
- 180 ml strong Russel’s Ceylon Pure Relaxing Black Tea
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 75 g Heritage Organic Coconut Sugar
- 60 ml Heritage Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, melted and cooled
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 220 g self-raising flour
- ½ tsp Heritage Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
- Pinch of salt
- 70 g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 30 g Heritage Organic Desiccated Coconut
How to make Black Tea Date Loaf Cake
1. Prepare the loaf tin
Preheat the oven to 160°C. Grease and line a 21 × 11 cm loaf tin with baking paper.
2. Brew the black tea
Prepare 180 ml strong Russel’s Ceylon Pure Relaxing Black Tea.
3. Soften the dates
Place the chopped dates and bicarbonate of soda in a heatproof bowl. Pour over the hot tea and leave for 10 minutes.
The hot tea softens the dates while bringing the black-tea character directly into the loaf mixture.
4. Add the wet ingredients
Stir the Heritage Organic Coconut Sugar, melted Heritage Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, eggs and vanilla into the warm date-and-tea mixture.
5. Combine the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix the self-raising flour, Heritage Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder and salt.
6. Fold the batter
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Add the walnuts and Heritage Organic Desiccated Coconut, then fold gently through the batter.
Avoid overmixing.
7. Bake
Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin and level the surface.
Bake at 160°C for 50–55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the loaf with foil for the final 10 minutes.
8. Cool
Leave the loaf in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool before slicing.
Why black tea works in a date loaf
Strong black tea provides the soaking liquid for the dates and becomes part of the loaf batter itself. In this recipe, Russel’s Ceylon Pure Relaxing Black Tea is brewed first and poured directly over the chopped dates before the remaining ingredients are added.
That simple step keeps the tea integrated into the recipe rather than serving only as a drink alongside the finished loaf.
How Heritage Organic Coconut Sugar is used
Heritage Organic Coconut Sugar is stirred directly into the warm date-and-tea mixture before the dry ingredients are folded in.
The recipe uses 75 g, alongside the natural sweetness of the dates, as part of the loaf’s overall flavour profile.
Serving ideas
Serve the Black Tea Date Loaf Cake:
- Plain, once completely cooled
- Lightly toasted
- With a little butter
- Alongside a freshly brewed cup of black tea
Its date, walnut and cinnamon flavours make it particularly suited to an afternoon-tea setting.
Baking tips
Use strongly brewed tea so its character is not lost once mixed with the remaining ingredients.
Allow the dates to soak for the full 10 minutes before continuing.
Fold the flour only until the mixture is combined. Overmixing can work the batter more than necessary.
Keep an eye on the loaf towards the end of baking. If the surface is colouring too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes.
Allow the loaf to rest in the tin before transferring it to a wire rack.
Storage
Store the cooled loaf in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this date loaf with black tea?
Yes. This recipe uses 180 ml strong Russel’s Ceylon Pure Relaxing Black Tea to soak the chopped dates before the loaf batter is mixed.
How long should the dates soak in the tea?
Leave the dates in the hot tea with the bicarbonate of soda for 10 minutes before adding the sugar, coconut oil, eggs and vanilla.
What temperature should I bake the loaf at?
Bake the loaf at 160°C for 50–55 minutes.
How do I know when the date loaf is ready?
Insert a skewer into the centre. The loaf is ready when the skewer comes out clean.
What can I serve with Black Tea Date Loaf Cake?
Serve it plain, lightly toasted or with a little butter. It also pairs naturally with a freshly brewed cup of black tea.
How long does the loaf keep?
Store the loaf in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Make it with Heritage
Bring this afternoon-tea bake together with Heritage Organic Coconut Sugar, alongside Russel’s Ceylon Pure Relaxing Black Tea and the other Heritage Organic ingredients used throughout the recipe.
Save this recipe for later and explore the Heritage range at heritageorganic.ae.
