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    Home » Cakes

    Prune Cake, a Holiday Fruit Cake

    Dec 22, 2010 · Modified: Dec 26, 2021 by Andrea · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 6 Comments

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    Prune Cake - Andrea Meyers

    It’s a shame that fruit cake has earned such a horrible reputation. When I was growing up I didn’t like them, I think because the flavor seemed strong to my kid-size palette, but now I love a good moist fruit cake with plenty of real dried fruits and a dash of rum or other baking alcohol. Michael’s family has a prune cake recipe that been in the family for a long time, and his mom makes mini prune cakes as gifts at Christmas. It’s dense and moist and spicy, and just plain good. And it’s easy to make, so you have time to whip one up before Christmas Eve.

    Prune Cake - Andrea Meyers

    Recipe Notes

    Due to the density and moisture content, the cake will keep on the counter for a few days as long as you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. After than you may want to freeze any remaining, but unlike fluffy cakes this one loves the freezer and thaws beautifully.

    Prune Cake - Andrea Meyers
    Print Pin

    Prune Cake

    Adapted from an old Meyers family recipe.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 20 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Keyword: cake, Christmas, prunes, walnuts
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 334kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-cup Bundt or coffeecake pan, lightly coated with cooking spray
    • stand mixer with paddle attachment, or hand mixer and large bowl
    • small saucepan or medium microwave safe bowl
    • medium mixing bowl
    • wire cooling rack

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup prunes
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon allspice
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cloves
    • 1 cup buttermilk (See Variations below for a substitute.)
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup raisins
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts
    US Customary - Metric

    Preparation

    • In a small saucepan or microwave safe bowl, cover the prunes with water and bring to a boil or microwave on High for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to rest, covered, for about 1 hour. Drain thoroughly and chop or mash.
    • Preheat the oven to 350° F/175° C.
    • In the mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until creamy. Add the cooked prunes and mix on low just until they are distributed.
    • In the medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Stir the milk and baking soda together in the measuring cup. Add ⅓ of the flour and half the milk mixture to the butter and eggs, and mix well. Repeat, then add the remaining flour, mixing thoroughly. Stir in the raisins and chopped nuts.
    • Bake in the preheated oven until a test toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to keep it fresh. Will keep in the freezer wrapped tightly and stored in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 422IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Share in the comments!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SharleneT says

      December 22, 2010 at 9:58 am

      The recipe sounds delicious, but my baking for this year is done! However, this would be a great recipe to include in my Book II for solar cooking. email me with the credit specifics, if it's okay. Happy Holidays! Come visit when you can and don't forget to check out my other blog, too!

      Reply
    2. Alisa Fleming says

      December 22, 2010 at 1:18 pm

      Yes, what is it about prunes that makes it sound so unappealing? That cake looks phenomenal though!

      Reply
    3. Ben says

      December 22, 2010 at 6:19 pm

      Oh that cake sounds and looks delicious. There's nothing like a moist and strong cake for Christmas. Bring out the rum I say! Hehe.

      Happy holidays!

      Reply
    4. Lisa@ButteryBooks says

      December 23, 2010 at 2:28 pm

      I like the idea of the mini prune cakes. They would look festive with a little sprinkling of powdered sugar.

      Reply
    5. Dinners & Dreams says

      December 27, 2010 at 10:20 am

      I have made a prune bread, similar to this one, before and it was fantastic so I know that this one will taste great.

      Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

      Nisrine

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Tweets that mention Prune Cake | Andrea Meyers -- Topsy.com says:
      December 22, 2010 at 2:50 am

      [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Elemental Deals and Andrea Meyers. Andrea Meyers said: {new post} Prune Cake http://goo.gl/fb/sA81g [...]

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Andrea Meyers: educator, photographer, tea drinker, avid cook, and gardener. I love helping people learn how to do great things.

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