Yum-Yum Gems
Yum-Yum Gems are delightful spiced cakes with raisins and nutmeats, perfect for special occasions or teatime treats, offering warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend shortening, brown sugar, and egg until smooth.
- Add sour milk to the mixture and combine well.
- Sift together the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; then stir into the wet ingredients.
- Add raisins and nutmeats to the batter and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the batter into cupcake tins.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until cakes are golden and cooked through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, use half butter and half shortening. If you don’t have sour milk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Feel free to add other mix-ins like chopped nuts or chocolate chips for variety. Adjust the spices according to your taste; more cinnamon can enhance warmth, while less can keep it subtle.
Serving Suggestions
These Yum-Yum Gems are delightful on their own, but you can serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence. They pair wonderfully with coffee or tea, making them a perfect treat for afternoon gatherings. For a fun twist, consider serving them alongside Cottage Cheese Banana Splits for a versatile dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Yum-Yum Gems in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F until heated through, which revives their soft texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Yum-Yum Gems contains roughly 350 calories, with 4g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 655mg per serving (28% 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 milk instead of sour milk?
Yes, if you don't have sour milk on hand, you can create a substitute by adding one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk and letting it sit for about 5-10 minutes. This will mimic the acidity of sour milk and work well in the recipe.
What can I substitute for raisins?
If you're not a fan of raisins, you can easily swap them out for dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even chocolate chips. Each of these options will add a different flavor profile to the Yum-Yum Gems while maintaining a similar texture.
How can I make these gems healthier?
To make a healthier version, consider using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also reduce the amount of brown sugar by using unsweetened applesauce as a partial sweetener, which adds moisture and a hint of flavor without the extra calories.
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).