Favorite Southern Jam Cake
A rich, fruity Southern-style jam cake with layers of blackberry and strawberry preserves, spiced with allspice, cinnamon, and cloves—perfect for special occasions or teatime.
Ingredients
- 1 cup margarine or butter, softened ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 5 eggs
- 16 oz. jar Bama seedless blackberry jam ⓘ
- 1 cup Bama strawberry preserves ⓘ
- 3 cups Martha White self-rising flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1 cup Borden buttermilk
- toasted chopped pecans (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixer bowl, beat margarine and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in jam and preserves.
- Combine dry ingredients; add alternately with buttermilk to the jam mixture.
- Turn batter into 3 well-greased, wax paper-lined 9-inch layer cake pans.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 5 minutes; remove from pans.
- Cool completely before frosting with Maple Frosting and garnishing with nuts, if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, replace margarine with unsweetened applesauce. You can also use homemade jam or preserves if you prefer. Be sure to alternate the dry ingredients and buttermilk well to ensure a smooth batter. If you don't have allspice, a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg can work as a substitute. This cake is delicious when served warm or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
This jam cake is perfect for gatherings and pairs beautifully with Maple Frosting. Serve it alongside a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. For a complete meal, consider serving it with a light salad like Sour Cucumbers Salad to balance the sweetness. It also makes a lovely dessert for festive occasions.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover 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 the cake and warm in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or enjoy it cold. Frosting may be best fresh, so consider frosting individual slices as needed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Favorite Southern Jam Cake contains roughly 566 calories, with 12g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (63% of the Daily Value), iron (46% of the Daily Value), and calcium (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. It also contributes 18g 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 different types of jam for this cake?
Yes, you can substitute different types of fruit jam or preserves based on your preference! Raspberry, peach, or even mixed berry jams would work well and add unique flavors to the cake. Just ensure the consistency is similar to blackberry and strawberry preserves.
How can I make this cake more decadent?
To make the cake richer, consider adding chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter. A drizzle of chocolate ganache or a cream cheese frosting could also elevate the flavor profile. You might also enjoy it with a side of ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
Is this cake suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! This cake freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
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).