Mary's Prune Cake

Mary’s Prune Cake is a timeless, spiced dessert brimming with old-fashioned charm and irresistible flavor. Made with tender, simmered prunes that are mashed into a rich paste, this moist cake is infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a cozy and nostalgic treat. The addition of buttermilk ensures a soft, tender crumb, while optional chopped walnuts deliver a delightful crunch. Perfect for family gatherings or as a unique holiday dessert, this one-bowl wonder is easy to prepare and bakes up beautifully in just over an hour. Whether served plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar, Mary’s Prune Cake is a delicious way to embrace the warm, spiced flavors of home baking.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup prunes (pitted)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 0.75 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish or two 8-inch round cake pans.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, combine the prunes and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the prunes are very tender. Remove the prunes from the heat, mash them into a paste, and set aside to cool.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix until well blended.

Step 4

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the cooled prune paste and vanilla extract.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.

Step 7

If using walnuts, gently fold them into the batter.

Step 8

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish or pans. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 10

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1539.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4687.0

Total Fat 218.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 101.0g
Cholesterol 571.4mg	0%
Sodium 2832.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 662.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.4g	0%
Total Sugars 410.0g
Protein 62.8g	0%

Vitamin D 186.4IU	0%
Calcium 541.4mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 2710.6mg	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: 40.5%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 54.4%