Prune Cake
📜 Collection: Unknown Twenty Five | ✍️ Attribution: Mary Ann Young | 📂 Category: Desserts A classic spiced Prune Cake featuring a rich, moist crumb packed with chopped prunes and nuts, baked in an angel food pan. Finished with a sweet, boiled buttermilk glaze poured over the cake while hot.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mins | 1 hr | 1 hr | 12 servings |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Angel food pan
- Mixing bowl
- Sifter
- Saucepan
- Hand mixer
Ingredients
Cake Batter
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cups | Flour | All-purpose |
| 1 1/2 cups | Sugar | Granulated |
| 3 | Eggs | Whole |
| 1 cup | Vegetable Oil | Or neutral oil |
| 1 tsp | Cinnamon | Ground |
| 1 tsp | Nutmeg | Ground |
| 1 tsp | Vanilla Extract | Pure |
| 1 cup | Sour Milk | Can substitute with milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar |
| 1 tsp | Baking Soda | Sifted |
| 1 cup | Nuts | Chopped |
| 1 cup | Prunes | Chopped |
Buttermilk Glaze
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | Sugar | White granulated |
| 1/2 cup | Buttermilk | Fresh |
| 1 tsp | Baking Soda | Sifted |
| 1/4 stick | Oleo | Margarine or butter |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, mix and beat the 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup vegetable oil, and 3 eggs until well combined and smooth.
- Stir in the 1 cup chopped prunes and 1 cup chopped nuts, beating the mixture well to distribute evenly.
- Sift the dry ingredients together: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, and 1 tsp baking soda.
- Alternately add the 1 cup sour milk and the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending well after each addition. Stir in the 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into a greased angel food pan.
- Bake at 300°F for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly touched.
Step 3: Prepare the Glaze & Finish
- While the cake is baking, combine 1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 stick oleo in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and let boil for about 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then beat the mixture until it begins to thicken.
- Pour the warm glaze over the cake while it is still white hot in the pan. Leave the cake in the pan until completely cool before slicing.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: This cake is incredibly moist and actually improves in flavor if made a day ahead. Keep covered at room temperature.
Original Recipe Scan
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