Prune Cake
Ranked #13,064 in Food & Cooking, #231,301 overall
Prune Cake: A Cake to Make in Secret
This recipe is from a newspaper clipping. There is no name on the paper, but it was originally published by Cecily Brownstone, Associated Press Food Editor. It looks like it is from the early 1950's, judging from the women's fashions on the back of the clipping. The women wear fitted suits with narrow skirts falling below the knee, two-inch heels, and sport short hairstyles. One lady is wearing a smart, little hat and carrying a handbag.
Ms. Brownstone recommends making prune cake only when you are alone in the kitchen. I thought this would be due to the prunes being a secret ingredient, but I was wrong! She says the butterscotch glaze for this cake is so delicious that if anyone is around they are bound to steal the glaze by the spoonsful before you have a chance to pour it over the cake!
Contents at a Glance
Prune Cake Poll
Prune Cake With Butterscotch Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- 1 cup corn oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely cut cooked & drained pitted prunes
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Butterscotch Glaze (recipe below)
Instructions
1. Sift together on waxed paper the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Set aside.
2. Beat together the oil and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
3. Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, about a third each time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the prunes and the nuts.
5. Pour batter into an ungreased 9-inch tub pan with a removable bottom.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. About 15 minutes before the cake is done, prepare the Butterscotch Glaze.
8. Pour the hot glaze over the cake still in the pan, while cake is fresh from the oven.
9. When cake is cool, remove from the pan.
Butterscotch Glaze for Prune Cake
- Serves: 1 cup glaze
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a 3-quart saucepan, and put over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Bring mixture to a full boil and boil 10 minutes.
3. Pour over cake while sauce is hot, and allow to soak into the cake.
4. Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan.
Tube Pan With Removable Bottom
You will need this for making your prune cake.
Wilton Angel Food Pan, 10 Inch
This tube pan is most similar to those used in the 1950's for baking. This was before the era of non-stick coatings. The regular aluminum will bake this cake authentically and effectively. This pan has gotten rave reviews from most users.
Some Things You Will Need When Making Prune Cake
People are Talking About Prune Cake
Really! They are!
Look at the Beautiful Prune Cakes
A Prune on a Stick for Christmas
Hilarious Holiday Reading
A Prune On A Stick For Christmas
This hilarious tale begins on Christmas night when the grandchildren question the "prune-on-a-stick" holiday tradition held at their grandparents' house every year. They correctly surmise they might be the only family in America (possibly the entire world) holding a Christmas prune ritual. Nana decides the pre-teens are probably old enough to hear the truth concerning the origins of this unusual family custom. She volunteers Grandpa's skills at recounting family history, letting him explain how their custom began. So as the snow falls and the fireplace glows, he gathers them round to tell the story. (click to read more)
Thumbs Up if You Love Cake!
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Prune Cake Memories
Do you like prune cake? Have any special prune cake memories? If you have never had prune cake, or do not like it, what is your favorite cake?
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burntchestnut
Mar 8, 2012 @ 12:15 pm | delete
- Every year for Thanksgiving, our aunt would bring German Chocolate Cake. We never had it any other time, so we all looked forward to it.
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scarlettohairy Mar 8, 2012 @ 11:40 am | delete
- I remember years ago making a prune cake for a co-worker who turned 50. Now that seems so young. Prune cake is tasty!
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lisadh
Mar 7, 2012 @ 10:48 pm | delete
- Hmmm, prunes and cake are two words I've never put together, but anything with butterscotch glaze cant' be all bad... :-)
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pianolessongirl
Dec 20, 2011 @ 12:39 am | delete
- Mmm, prunes are so good, I'll have to try this recipe! =)
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TravelingRae
Dec 19, 2011 @ 5:06 pm | delete
- I love prunes so I am sure I would love this.
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sandyspider
Nov 21, 2011 @ 12:10 pm | delete
- Yummy! Thanks for adding this to my Recipes, Reviews and Food Collection lens.
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lestroischenes Nov 3, 2011 @ 6:08 am | delete
- Looks gorgeous and one of those store cupboard cakes that you can make for an emergency.
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Showpup
Nov 2, 2011 @ 2:04 pm | delete
- I've never had prune cake but I love prunes! Will have to try it.
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LikinTrikin
Jun 30, 2011 @ 6:00 pm | delete
- Sounds Yummy!!!! As a child I loved prune cake, my Aunt Fran used to make it and believe it or not we couldn't get enough of it. This is something I'll have to show my hubby so he can whip it up for us. Thanks for sharing
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vallain Jun 28, 2011 @ 6:32 am | delete
- I've never had prune cake, but anything that you pour warm butterscotch over sounds yummy to me. Your aunt must have been an awesome cook.
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by Frischy
Frischy is a writer and mom in Louisville, Kentucky.
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