Grandma Frankie's Prune Cake

Grandma Frankie’s Prune Cake is a timeless dessert steeped in nostalgia, combining simple pantry staples with warm spices for a cozy, flavorful treat. Sweet, slow-simmered prunes are mashed into a luscious paste, lending a rich moisture to the cake, while hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add a rustic warmth to every bite. A touch of buttermilk ensures a tender crumb, and chopped walnuts introduce a delightful crunch. Perfect for family gatherings or as a comforting after-dinner indulgence, this cake bakes beautifully in a bundt or sheet pan and can be dressed up with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream. With its quick prep time and old-fashioned charm, Grandma Frankie’s Prune Cake is the perfect way to celebrate the joys of baking from scratch.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 cup prunes
• 1.5 cups water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or a bundt pan.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of prunes with 1.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 3

Once cooled, mash the prunes with a fork until they form a thick paste. Set aside.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and unsalted butter until light and fluffy.

Step 5

Add eggs, one at a time, to the sugar and butter mixture, beating well after each addition.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

Step 7

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 8

Stir in the mashed prunes, vanilla extract, and walnuts until evenly distributed.

Step 9

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 11

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 12

Dust the cake with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1568.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4000.3

Total Fat 156.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 67.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 819.4mg	0%
Sodium 2833.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 619.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.2g	0%
Total Sugars 364.8g
Protein 63.9g	0%

Vitamin D 186.4IU	0%
Calcium 546.9mg	0%
Iron 17.8mg	0%
Potassium 2662.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.0%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 59.9%