Description
Pioneer Woman Prune Cake is a moist, warmly spiced dessert featuring mashed prunes blended into a tender cake batter, baked to perfection and topped with a rich, creamy icing. This comforting cake combines traditional fall spices with a luscious buttermilk icing, making it an ideal treat for family gatherings or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 cup Prunes
- 1 cup Sugar
- 3 whole Eggs
- 1 cup Canola Oil
- 1 1/2 cups Sifted Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Allspice
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Icing
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon White Corn Syrup
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F (149°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Cook and mash prunes: Simmer the prunes in water for 8 minutes until soft. Drain them well and then mash to a smooth consistency, setting aside for incorporation into the cake batter.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and canola oil until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon to evenly distribute the spices.
- Build the batter: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, stirring gently after each addition to avoid overmixing. Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Add prunes: Fold the mashed prunes into the batter carefully, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare icing: While the cake bakes, combine the sugar, buttermilk, baking soda, white corn syrup, butter, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook for 5 to 7 minutes without stirring, allowing it to thicken slightly into a creamy glaze.
- Ice the cake: Immediately upon removing the cake from the oven, pour the warm icing evenly over the hot cake. Allow the cake to cool slightly so the icing sets before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh ground spices.
- If buttermilk isn’t available, substitute with 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
- This cake is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
- Store any leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can substitute dried prunes with chopped dates if preferred, though prunes provide a unique texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: prune cake, pioneer woman cake, prune dessert, spiced cake, buttermilk cake, autumn cake, comfort food