Mother'S Jam Cake

Prep: 30 min Cook: 90 min Cuisine: American

Mother's Jam Cake is a rich, moist dessert filled with luscious blackberry jam and strawberry preserves, accented by warm spices and chopped nuts. Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, its delightful flavors and tender crumb make it a nostalgic treat loved by all ages.

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Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons soda
  • 5 cups flour
  • 2 cups blackberry jam
  • 1 cup strawberry preserves
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon allspice
  • 1 tablespoon cloves

Instructions

  1. Cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  3. Put soda in buttermilk and set aside.
  4. Sift together the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
  5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
  6. Stir in the blackberry jam, strawberry preserves, chopped nuts, and raisins (if using).
  7. Pour the batter into a greased and floured tube pan lined with greased brown paper.
  8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Allow to cool before removing from the pan.
  10. Top with caramel frosting before serving.

Tips & Substitutions

For a lighter texture, ensure your butter is very soft but not melted. If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar. Adding chopped nuts or raisins can enhance the texture and flavor, but it's optional. Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

This jam cake pairs beautifully with a rich caramel frosting, which complements its flavors perfectly. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a Peachy-Cream Shake for a delightful dessert experience. It's also great with a cup of coffee or tea, making it perfect for afternoon gatherings.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover jam cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, slice and place in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or enjoy it at room temperature.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Mother'S Jam Cake contains roughly 1603 calories, with 26g protein, 302g carbohydrates, and 39g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (64% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (57% of the Daily Value), and iron (53% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 637mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).

1603 kcal 80% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 26.1g 52% DV
Total Fat 38.6g 49% DV
Carbs 302.4g 100% DV
Fiber 16g 57% DV
Sugar 104g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 636.5mg 28% DV
Potassium 2100.2mg 45% DV
Cholesterol 253.9mg 85% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 81.5mcg 9% DV
Vitamin C 57.9mg 64% DV
Vitamin D 0.7mcg 3% DV
Calcium 555mg 43% DV
Iron 9.5mg 53% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber Low-fat
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

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 flavors of jam for this recipe?

Absolutely! You can substitute the blackberry jam and strawberry preserves with any fruit jams you prefer, such as raspberry or apricot. Just ensure they complement each other in flavor for the best results.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The best way to check for doneness is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached, the cake is done. If it has wet batter on it, continue baking for a few more minutes.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance. Once it cools completely, store it covered at room temperature. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even more delicious when served the next day.

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).

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