05 March 2015

Prune Spice Cake - Just Call It Spice Cake

Prune Spice Cake - Just Call It Spice Cake / www.delightfulrepast.com

Prune Spice Cake is a name I avoid using because the word "prune" puts so many people off. Unless you enjoy imploring your picky eater to "Just try it, you'll like it," I'd suggest you call it Spice Cake and skip all that nonsense. 

I first came up with this cake when I was a teenager. Over the years, I tinkered with it until I settled on this formula. If I hadn't needed a frosted cake for a particular reason this week, I would have skipped the frosting and just served it with some barely sweetened whipped cream.


Prune Spice Cake - Just Call It Spice Cake / www.delightfulrepast.com


It's a lovely moist and tender cake that keeps well at room temperature for a few days or even freezes well. I needed to cook a week ahead for an upcoming lunch for friends, so sliced half the layer cake into six slices and laid them on a parchment-lined, indispensable 13x9x1-inch quarter sheet pan, covered it with foil and popped it into the freezer. 

What size/shape cake do you make most often? I have all sorts of pans: 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 12- and 14-inch rounds, 8- and 11-inch squares, not to mention the rectangles and loaf pans; but I make a 7-inch round cake most often these days. 


Prune Spice Cake - Just Call It Spice Cake / www.delightfulrepast.com

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Prune Spice Cake 

(Makes one 13x9-inch cake or 2 8-inch round layers) 

1 8-ounce (227 grams) package pitted prunes
1 1/4 cups (10 fluid ounces) water
2 dip-and-sweep cups (10 ounces/283 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup (7 ounces/198 grams) sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
8 tablespoons (4 ounces/113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) extra virgin olive oil or organic* canola oil
3 large eggs
1 cup (4 ounces/113 grams) finely diced walnuts

1 Spray one 13x9x2-inch pan with organic* canola cooking spray, or butter and flour two 8-inch round layer pans.

* Of course, I use organic everything, but I mention it specifically for the canola oil because canola oil that is not organic is sure to be genetically modified (GMO or GE).  

2 In 1-quart saucepan, combine prunes and water. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving 2/3 cup of the liquid (add water if necessary). Chop prunes. They wind up a rough puree. You could use the food processor to make a perfectly smooth puree. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

3 In 2-cup glass measure, microwave butter until just melted. Stir in oil. 

In bowl of stand mixer, combine all the dry ingredients and mix on low speed for one minute. Add reserved prune liquid and the butter and oil. Mix to blend; at medium speed, beat for 2 minutes. Add eggs. Mix to blend; beat for 1 minute. Stir in prunes and walnuts. 

5 Pour into prepared pan(s). Bake at 350F/180C for about 40 minutes (single) or about 30 minutes (layers). 

6 Serve single cake directly from pan. For layer cake, cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks for an hour or more. When completely cooled, frost with vanilla butter frosting.

Jean

56 comments:

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Looks and the recipe sounds very much like what me dear ol’ mum used to make. It’s delicious, but…but forgo the frosting. I think not! Frosting, frosting, frosting. In fact, you could add another layer of that…say, an inch or two. (And let me lick out the bowl afterward…).

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sully, can't believe my little picky eater likes a prune cake! Glad to hear it. You've made my day!

Anne said...

Spice cake sounds like a boring brown cake that someone I know makes but Prune Spice Cake sounds deliciously rich and decadent. Definitely with the icing.

Sippity Sup said...

I like my ten-inch springform. I hope people know what I'm talking about. GREG

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Anne! Glad to find another fan of the prune!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I'm sure they will, Greg! :D I forgot about my various springform pans. I use the 7- and 9-inch ones most.

Angie's Recipes said...

I actually love the prunes and all the winter spices of course :-) The cake looks right up my alley, Jean.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Angie. Of course *you* like prunes--you're a sensible woman like me!

Richard Sheppard said...

How about Spiced Plumb Cake. Looks delicious. I'll file the recipe away for my next sweet adventure!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Richard, didn't the prune industry try that several years ago -- tried to switch over to dried plums? What ever happened with that? Guess it didn't take off. Let me know how the cake turns out for you!

Richard Sheppard said...

I'm not sure about the Plumb/Prune campaign. I think the jury is still out on that one. Where I live, Healdsburg use to be called "The Buckle of the Prune Belt" before wine grapes became the crop of choice.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Interesting, Richard. I had no idea Healdsburg had a prune history.

Michelle said...

I actually do like cooking with prunes, and my youngest teen will just eat them straight. I don't know how they got such a bad name. Your cake looks delicious, Jean...sending some foodie love your way!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Michelle! I'd rather eat them than chocolates!

Anonymous said...

This sounds delicious. My great aunt Lucy was famous for her prune platter every holiday dinner!

The Cranky said...

Hmmm, I've not been a big fan of 'plumbs' in the past but it's been years since I tried them last... looks like this cake would be a good reason to try them again!

Linda Kay said...

I've never cooked with prunes. But my mother always had me keep them on hand when she would visit my house for a few days.....not for cooking, however.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cat Tales, thanks! Have you blogged about that prune platter? I'm curious about that!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Yes, Jacqueline, give this cake a try. I'm sure you and GS will love it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

:D Linda! You would like them, I'm sure, in cake and cookies.

Kari said...

I like your judicial naming of this ;) It sounds delicious - my sort of cake, for sure!

Gill - That British Woman said...

I am so sorry but I can't get past the prunes...LOL And as I do the cooking in this house, it's a no, no....

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kari, thanks, I hope you'll try it soon!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

That's okay, Gill, we *all* have our little things we just can't get past! :D

TONY said...

The title, Prune Spice Cake does bring associations with it, Jean. I remember my mother, when my two brothers and I were not into our teens, tried to get us to eat prunes and we did , occasionally.
However, I haven't eaten them for years. I must admit the title Spice Cake might entice me more than your official title, Jean.
By the way,I like the family tales and personal experiences you attach to many of your recipes. They make your recipes unique.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Tony. It's hard for me, but I try to put in my personal experiences once in a while; glad you like them.

Hotly Spiced said...

I love the sound of this cake and you have presented it beautifully. I love prunes so the title is not an issue with me! I also love spice so I'm in luck with this cake xx

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Charlie (Spiced), I guess you would love spices! Thanks so much!

Pom Pom said...

I like prunes, so I'll call it Prune Cake. I went through a long phase of very little cake baking or cake eating, but lately I have fallen in love with cake again. Aren't cakes so cheerful?
Thank you for the recipe, good cook!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, thank you! I'm so glad you like the recipe. Let me know how it turns out for you.

April J Harris said...

I love the flavour of prunes but I know it might make some of the folks in my house hesitate so I agree, Jean, let's just call it Spice Cake ;-) Your spice cake sounds absolutely delicious and looks just beautiful. I love the idea of adding prunes for flavour, texture and nutrition. What a great cake this is! Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop. Pinning and sharing :-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you so much! Yes, I felt certain that one or two of my guests the other day would've balked at Prune Cake, so I waited till they had declared it wonderful to tell them about the prunes!

Brooks said...

Jean, the prunes must provide terrific body and moisture to the crumb, and I can see where they almost play a supporting role to the spice. I seem to navigate to 8-inch rounds as my "go to". Whether with frosting or a nice dollop of unsweetened whipped cream, I'd love a slice, please.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Brooks! Yes, exactly; the prunes just disappear into the cake, providing lots of moisture and a backdrop for the spices.

Pauline Wiles said...

Ha! I wonder if prunes will ever get over their bad image!
I'm sure the cake is absolutely delicious and definitely approve of your slight name change.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Pauline. I don't know how something so tasty as prunes got such a bad image in the first place!

sweetbriardreams said...

This looks absolutely delicious! I can't wait to give your recipe a go. (Especially the frosting!). Take care x

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Chel. It's just a basic 1-pound-of-powdered-sugar American vanilla buttercream, with heavy cream as the liquid.

Candy Pop said...

Thank you for popping over to my blog, your cake looks fantastic!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Candy Pop! And it goes great with a cup of tea, which I know you appreciate!

Sunnybrook Rebecca said...

I love prunes, but some have a prejudice associated with that word, so you might want to call it plum spice cake. Doesn't that sound lovely?!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Rebecca, that's a grand idea! This cake will henceforth be known as Plum Spice Cake!

Carole Nowicke said...

My grandmother would make one of these with lemon filling and penuche icing.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Carole, thank you. That sounds wonderful!

Anonymous said...

My Mother used to make it at Christmas every year, and it was just DELICIOUS! She made her icing like german chocolate, and it was just wonderful. I did not get her recipe before she passed, so thank you so much.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I'm so glad! I'd never have thought to use the icing for German chocolate cake on this cake, but why not! Let me know how it turns out for you.

Lois said...

Thanks for this, there are a bunch of prune haters here so I'll try to convert them with this recipe

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

😁 Lois, that's wonderful! Thank you.

Anonymous said...

My grandmother made a cake similar… no clove or nutmeg, only cinnamon. Sounds crazy but topped with peanut butter icing…delicious! A family favorite, so moist!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Yes, very moist. And the more I imagine it with peanut butter icing, the less crazy it sounds! 😁 Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Good name

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Good cake, too!

Anonymous said...


Dear Jean,
A very delicious prune cake. It is very moist and easy. I have made it 5 times already. Thank you for sharing your precious heirloom recipe.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you so much! You've made my day! I'm glad you like it.

Anonymous said...

Just came across this recipe. It reminds me of the prune cake my mother used to make but hers calls for buttermilk. Frosted with lemon cream cheese frosting. I simply loved that cake .... my request for birthdays growing up! I'll be interested in how this one compares! Got to buy some prunes!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Well, I hope you'll try my version and let me know how it compares. I might need to change MY recipe!