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 TimeCook TimeInactive / Chill TimeYield / Servings
20 mins1 hr1 hr12 servings

🔪 Key Equipment

  • Angel food pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Sifter
  • Saucepan
  • Hand mixer

Ingredients

Cake Batter

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
2 cupsFlourAll-purpose
1 1/2 cupsSugarGranulated
3EggsWhole
1 cupVegetable OilOr neutral oil
1 tspCinnamonGround
1 tspNutmegGround
1 tspVanilla ExtractPure
1 cupSour MilkCan substitute with milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
1 tspBaking SodaSifted
1 cupNutsChopped
1 cupPrunesChopped

Buttermilk Glaze

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
1 cupSugarWhite granulated
1/2 cupButtermilkFresh
1 tspBaking SodaSifted
1/4 stickOleoMargarine or butter

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

  1. 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.
  2. Stir in the 1 cup chopped prunes and 1 cup chopped nuts, beating the mixture well to distribute evenly.
  3. Sift the dry ingredients together: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, and 1 tsp baking soda.
  4. 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

  1. Pour the batter into a greased angel food pan.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and let boil for about 3 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then beat the mixture until it begins to thicken.
  4. 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

Page 1

Page 2