Best Ever Jam Cake
A rich, flavorful jam cake featuring spices, fruit preserves, and nuts, perfect for special occasions or teatime indulgence, offering a moist, spiced, and fruity experience.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shortening ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons soda ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 1 cup blackberry jam ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup applesauce ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup pecans, chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- Cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, measure spices and salt, then add to the self-rising flour.
- Dissolve soda in buttermilk.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk soda mixture to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the flour.
- Mix in vanilla.
- Gradually blend in blackberry jam, cherry preserves, applesauce, raisins, and chopped pecans until well combined.
- Pour batter evenly into three greased nine-inch pans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool slightly, then frost with caramel frosting.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, ensure your shortening is at room temperature before creaming with sugar. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can substitute with all-purpose flour and add 1 tablespoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt. To enhance the jam flavor, consider using homemade blackberry jam if available.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the jam cake with a drizzle of caramel frosting and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. For a more festive touch, consider garnishing with fresh berries or whipped cream. This cake also complements chocolate desserts like Neighbors Chocolate Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover jam cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, slice and warm in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or until just heated through to preserve its moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Best Ever Jam Cake contains roughly 382 calories, with 6g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 638mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of jam for this recipe?
Absolutely! While blackberry jam is traditional, feel free to experiment with other flavors like raspberry or strawberry. Just ensure the consistency is similar to maintain the cake's texture. Mixing different jams can create a unique flavor profile.
What should I do if I don't have buttermilk?
If you lack buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly. This will mimic the acidity needed for the recipe.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the jam cake a day in advance. Just ensure it is completely cooled before wrapping it in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container. Frost it closer to serving time to maintain the frosting's freshness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).