Plum Fun Cake
A moist and flavorful plum cake featuring chopped walnuts and raisins, perfect for teatime or casual gatherings, blending fruity sweetness with nutty richness.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cold water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1/3 cup cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon vinegar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 4 3/4 ounces jar strained baby food plums (reserve 1 tablespoon for icing) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 9-inch square pan, combine flour, sugar, soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the remaining ingredients: cold water, chopped walnuts, raisins, cooking oil, vinegar, vanilla, egg, and strained baby food plums.
- Stir vigorously with a rubber spatula for 1 minute.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched.
- Cool before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter cake, consider substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. If you don't have walnuts, pecans or almonds can work well too. Additionally, you can replace the cooking oil with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat option. Ensure the baby food plums are smooth for an even texture throughout the cake.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Plum Fun Cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light glaze made from the reserved baby food plums. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a slice of the Cherry Crunch Coffee Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it fresh longer, refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, place a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Plum Fun Cake contains roughly 321 calories, with 5g protein, 31g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is a good source of calcium (14% of the Daily Value) and iron (10% 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 fresh plums instead of baby food plums?
Yes, you can use fresh plums! Just puree them until smooth and measure out the equivalent amount. However, be mindful of the moisture content as fresh plums may add more liquid, which could require adjusting the flour.
Is this cake suitable for a vegan diet?
To make the Plum Fun Cake vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) and use a plant-based oil. Ensure that the baby food plums are free of any animal-derived ingredients.
What should I do if my cake sinks in the middle?
A sinking cake can result from underbaking or too much moisture. Make sure to bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Also, check that your leavening agents are fresh, as expired baking powder or soda can lead to poor rising.
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).