{"id":17969,"date":"2026-05-07T19:15:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T19:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/?p=17969"},"modified":"2026-05-08T22:45:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:45:32","slug":"date-and-pistachio-cake-no-refined-sugar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/date-and-pistachio-cake-no-refined-sugar\/","title":{"rendered":"Date and Pistachio Cake (No Refined Sugar)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This tender, delicate date pistachio cake is refined sugar free but you would never tell; gets its sweetness from pureed dates that lend a caramel flavor and a toasty crunch coming from the pistachios. It is so easy to make and such a delight to eat; the kind of cake that works for almost any occasion, it\u2019s just as fitting for gatherings with friends, Mother\u2019s Day, or anytime you need a cake that feels so special without feeling guilty, this recipe makes two cakes, one for now and one to enjoy later; you\u00a0 never know when you’ll need this refined sugar- free quick fix!<\/p>\n

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No one noticed that its is refined sugar free!<\/h2>\n

The date and pistachio cake comes from my sister, Susan, whose known for her phenomenal cakes, every now and then she shares with me some of her exceptionally comforting cakes, if you’re a regular reader on out blog, you must have encountered her lovely strawberry cake<\/strong> <\/a>that I posted a few years ago. Last week I had friends coming over for an afternoon tea, part of it was to have fun with friends as I love entertaing and the other part was to serve this cake and use the gathering as an immediate, unfiltered feedback on taste and texture; (this is a more than 30 year strategy I rely on in testing some of my recipes<\/strong>), what warmed my heart is realizing that they loved the cake, and no one even noticed that its is refined sugar free.<\/p>\n

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No Refined Sugar Cake<\/h2>\n

This is one of the few cakes that I baked in my life that didn’t need refined sugar to shine, what makes it sweet? It has all the natural sugars from dates, and there is no added white, brown or any kind of sugar, and the result is a triumph.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do I have to use butter or oil in this cake?<\/h2>\n

The cake is packed with healthy fats: eggs, nuts, almond milk, sesame seeds, and even the cake tin is greased with tahini, so butter can be eliminated if you want to keep it refined fat free. Of course we can never deny the fact that butter adds essential tenderness and richness, but my sister Susan tested\u00a0 the cake with and without butter, and she believes it still tastes good without butter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why do I need to soak the dates before baking?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Soaking the dates before baking in boiling water and baking soda, makes them softer and easier to process into a smooth paste, ensuring even distribution in the batter, the liquid is absorbed into the fruit more rapidly. It only take a few minutes, and means that the cake is more moist.<\/p>\n

Can I keep the cake without glazing it with honey and tahini?<\/h2>\n

Absolutely yes, the cake is delectable on its own without the glaze, but, the combination of honey and tahini deepen the flavor notes of the cake and adds a sleek and sweet favored addition. If you have a sweet tooth, like me, you will love the honey-tahini glaze, it matches perfectly with the cake.<\/p>\n

Why do you divide the cake batter into 2 cake ring pans?<\/h2>\n

The is a large cake batter, so you need to divide it into 2 cake pans . Certainly, I\u2019ve never once thought to halve a recipe for any cake I\u2019m making because\u00a0 I\u2019d always rather have 2 cakes than one. Conversely, this may not be the case with you, so if you need to make 1 cake, cut all your ingredients in half, needless to say, baking temperatures will remain the same.<\/p>\n

Can I freeze the cake?<\/h2>\n

Absolutely, yes, wrap the cake in foil, or slice and wrap individual slices, then transfer to a ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months.<\/p>\n

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Ingredients:<\/h2>\n