Prune Sour Cream Coffee Cake
A moist, flavorful coffee cake filled with sweet prunes, cinnamon, walnuts, and topped with a brown sugar streusel, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Sunsweet prunes ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
- 2 cups sifted flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 cup soft butter ⓘ
- 1 cup granulated sugar ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⓘ
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Pour boiling water over the prunes, let stand for 15 minutes. Drain, pit, and dice the prunes, then add lemon rind and set aside.
- Grease and flour a 9-inch tube pan.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Remove 1/4 cup of the flour mixture and toss with the prunes.
- Cream butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time.
- Slowly beat in the flour mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Fold in the diced prunes and vanilla extract.
- Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts to make the streusel mixture.
- Turn one-third of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle with one-third of the streusel mixture.
- Repeat the layering process twice, ending with the streusel topping.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, ensure that the butter is softened but not melted. If you don’t have prunes, you can substitute with dates or dried figs. Adding a pinch of nutmeg can enhance the flavor profile. Be sure to sift the flour to avoid clumps in the batter, which will help achieve the fluffy consistency similar to Mounds Chocolate Cake.
Serving Suggestions
This Prune Sour Cream Coffee Cake is perfect for brunch or an afternoon tea. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or alongside a fresh fruit salad. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. For a delightful twist, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, similar to what you might enjoy with Lillian'S Coffee Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover coffee 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, place individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Prune Sour Cream Coffee Cake contains roughly 371 calories, with 6g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is a good source of calcium (17% of the Daily Value), protein (13% of the Daily Value), and iron (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 900mg per serving (39% 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 a different type of dried fruit instead of prunes?
Yes, you can substitute prunes with dried apricots, dates, or figs. Each will provide a unique flavor and texture, but ensure to adjust the sweetness according to your preference, as some fruits are sweeter than prunes.
What can I do if I don't have a tube pan?
If you don’t have a tube pan, you can use a 9-inch round cake pan or a square baking dish. Just keep an eye on the baking time as it may vary slightly; start checking for doneness around 50 minutes.
How can I make this recipe healthier?
To make a healthier version, consider using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour, and substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. You can also reduce the sugar by half and increase the amount of walnuts for added protein and healthy fats.
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).