Spicy Prune Cake
A moist, flavorful cake combining the rich sweetness of prunes with warm spices and a hint of orange. Its tender crumb and spicy aroma make it perfect for teatime or dessert, appealing to those who enjoy wholesome, fruit-forward baked treats with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sifted flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup ready to eat bran ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shortening ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup prune cooking liquid
- 2 teaspoons grated orange rind ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped, cooked prunes ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare your baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Add the ready-to-eat bran to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, then stir in the prune cooking liquid and grated orange rind.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped, cooked prunes.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using brown sugar instead of white sugar, and you can substitute applesauce for half of the shortening for a lighter version. If you want more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Ensure that the prunes are well-cooked to maximize their sweetness and moisture in the cake.
Serving Suggestions
This cake pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a refreshing side, serve with Sour Cream Cucumbers(Polish) to balance the spices. You can also enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Spicy Prune Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, place slices in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Prune Cake contains roughly 203 calories, with 5g protein, 36g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (22% of the Daily Value) and iron (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1127mg per serving (49% 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 prunes instead of cooked ones?
Yes, you can use fresh prunes, but they should be chopped and pitted before adding them to the batter. Cooking the prunes beforehand enhances their flavor and ensures they blend well into the cake.
Is it necessary to use orange rind?
While the grated orange rind adds a lovely citrus note, you can omit it if you prefer. Alternatively, lemon zest can be used for a different flavor profile, so feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version of this cake, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the baking powder and other ingredients are also certified gluten-free to ensure safety.
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).