Place the chopped dates in a bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Stir in the baking soda and let it sit for 10 minutes until the dates are soft.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, mix the plant-based milk, vegetable oil, dairy-free yogurt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Add the softened dates along with their soaking liquid to the wet ingredients and blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.