Go Back

Southern Orange Slice Cake with Dates

A classic Southern dessert full of rich, fruity, and nutty flavors, this cake is perfect for gatherings and tastes even better after a day.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 11 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 720
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 cup butter, softened, plus extra for the pan Use 2 sticks of butter.
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the pan
  • 1 pound pitted dates, chopped Choose soft and plump dates.
  • 1 pound candy orange slices, chopped
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 1/3 cups shredded coconut
For the Orange Glaze
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Butter a 10-inch tube pan very well and dust with flour.
  2. Beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 4 to 8 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir the baking soda into the buttermilk and mix it into the creamed batter.
  4. In a separate bowl, toss the flour with chopped dates, candy orange slices, and pecans until coated.
  5. Add the flour mixture and shredded coconut to the batter and stir by hand with a wooden spoon.
Baking
  1. Press the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, checking at the 2-hour mark until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Whisk the orange juice and powdered sugar together to make the glaze near the end of baking.
Glazing and Cooling
  1. Pour the glaze over the hot cake so it soaks in. Allow the cake to cool in the pan overnight before turning it out and slicing.
  2. For best flavor, let it sit for at least 24 hours before serving.

Notes

This cake improves in flavor after 24 hours.