Easy Prune Cake
A moist, flavorful prune cake with warm spices and crunchy pecans, perfect for gatherings or teatime, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the sifted self-rising flour, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves in a large mixer bowl; mix well.
- Add oil, eggs, and prune puree; beat until well combined.
- Stir in chopped pecans.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch cake pan.
- Bake at 325°F for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Immediately cover the cake with foil.
- Optional: drizzle with your favorite glaze before serving.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing.
- This cake freezes well; for moister texture, place in the freezer while still hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For added moisture, you can substitute half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce. If you don't have self-rising flour, combine all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Ensure the prunes are well-pureed for a smoother texture. Consider adding a handful of chocolate chips for extra flavor, which complements the spices nicely.
Serving Suggestions
This prune cake is delightful on its own, but you can enhance its flavor by serving it with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. For a festive touch, consider serving alongside Pumpkin Bran Muffins during holiday gatherings for a sweet brunch spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover prune cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For longer storage, freeze the whole cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Prune Cake contains roughly 528 calories, with 4g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 44g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (14% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (13% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 fresh prunes instead of baby food prunes?
Yes, you can use fresh prunes. Just make sure to pit and puree them until smooth. You may need to adjust the sweetness slightly based on the natural sugar content of the fresh prunes.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the self-rising flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that contains xanthan gum. This will help maintain the structure and texture of the cake without any gluten.
How can I make the cake more flavorful?
You can elevate the flavor by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg to the batter. Additionally, including a handful of chocolate chips can create a delicious contrast with the prune's sweetness.
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).