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–+ servings
Millies Prune Cake
Millies’ Prune Cake reflects a style of home baking popular in mid-20th-century American kitchens, where dried fruits and warm spices were used to create moist, flavorful cakes that kept well and sliced beautifully. Prunes, once a common pantry staple, lend natural sweetness and deep color, enhanced by cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The use of prune juice in the batter adds richness without heaviness, resulting in a tender crumb that feels both hearty and refined. This cake is distinctive for balancing fruit, spice, and nuts in a straightforward method that relies on creaming and alternating additions, producing a dependable dessert suited for everyday tables as well as casual gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup shortening
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup prune juice
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup nuts (chopped )
  • 1 cup prunes (chopped )
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground cloves

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cream Base

  • Cream shortening and sugar together until light.
  • Beat in eggs one at a time.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

  • Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.

Step 3: Combine Batter

  • Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and prune juice, mixing gently after each addition.
  • Stir in vanilla, nuts, and prunes.

Step 4: Add Spices

  • Mix in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Bake

  • Pour batter into a greased 8 x 12 pan.
  • Bake at 350°F for 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Tips

  • Chop prunes finely for a smoother texture
  • Toast nuts before adding for deeper flavor
  • Substitute walnuts or pecans as preferred
  • Serve with whipped cream or powdered sugar
  • Let cake rest overnight for fuller flavor
  • Cut into squares for easy serving
  • Store tightly covered to maintain moisture

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 420IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 1.6mg
Keyword fruit cake, old-fashioned cake, prune cake, retro dessert, spiced cake, vintage baking
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