by nannydeb
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aargersi's Testing Notes:
Expand Collapsenannydeb's Notes:
Expand2 cups all purpose flour Ask a question about this ingredient
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves Ask a question about this ingredient
2 tablespoons baking powder Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 teaspoon salt Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 cup prunes, quartered Ask a question about this ingredient
1/3 cup hot espresso or coffee Ask a question about this ingredient
4 tablespoons unsalted butter,room temperature Ask a question about this ingredient
1 cup sugar Ask a question about this ingredient
1 egg, room temperature Ask a question about this ingredient
1 teaspoon vanilla Ask a question about this ingredient
1/4 cup maple syrup Ask a question about this ingredient
2/3 cups whole milk Ask a question about this ingredient
powedered sugar for dusting Ask a question about this ingredient
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10 inch spring form pan. Set aside.
Ask a question about this stepIn a small bowl, plump the prunes with the hot espresso or coffee for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Ask a question about this stepIn a medium bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Ask a question about this stepIn a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add the egg, vanilla and maple syrup and mix well.
Ask a question about this stepPuree the prunes with the espresso or coffee in the food processor. Add to the cake batter and mix well.
Ask a question about this stepAlternately add the flour mixture and the milk, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Ask a question about this stepPour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan at least 10 minutes.
Ask a question about this stepRemove the cake to a serving plate and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Ask a question about this stepI have made this cake multiple times. It is a delicious recipe...the warm, lovely spices are really brilliant. It's perfect with a big cup of French roast coffee.
I came to loook at this recipe because of the prunes. I would be intrigued if you did a version with armagnac soaked prunes, with walnuts added, and this mixture (w/ cardamom and orange zest) alternately layered with the batter! oh, and some whole wheat flour too! I'll report back when I do riff on it. Thx much for the inspiration!
I would love a wheat flour version! That way I would feel better about eating it for breakfast...
Just made this last night. Perfect in every respect. I did add some additional chopped prunes to the batter because I am prune-crazed. Thanks so much for a stellar recipe.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I had no idea there were so many prune lovers out there!
aargersi - I guess this must be a matter of taste. My spices were fresh, I used great Grade B maple syrup and strong espresso... Its not that the cake isn't moist -- it is. It just tastes like a sort of muted spice cake to me (and my husband)... I guess I was looking for more coffee and maple flavor, as I don't love spice cake that much to begin with. Now that I read the head notes again, I see the comment that it was based on a spice cake recipe -- I think perhaps renaming it Prune Spice Cake would be more clear, as that really is the flavor profile...
Hi fearlessem, thanks for trying my cake! I try tons of recipes on food52 and at times I don't get what all of the fuss is about. Sometimes I ooh and ahhh along with everybody else!
Is it really two *Tablespoons of baking powder* That seems like a huge amount, but since I'm about to bake it, guess I'll give it a go? Fingers crossed...
Well, I used the two tablespoons and it seemed to be the right amount. But I will say that I wanted to love this cake and somehow just didn't... The combination of flavors wound up feeling like less than the sum of their parts to me, rather than more... Maybe it'll grow on me in the morning with a cup of tea...
That's odd because I followed the recipe (I thought 2 tbs was a lot but it worker perfectly) and mine was rich and moist and spicy, did you use real maple syrup and fresh spices and butter? maybe one of the ingredients was off?
i thought two tablespoons of baking powder was alot also.
its in the oven so... we will see. that is the most bp ever. ????
I just made this again and this time I folded a diced pear into the batter - the batter is SO GOOD I could eat it raw, but I put (most of) it in the oven ...
This looks and sounds great! Prunes are so under-appreciated. Love the home you are giving them here! I would totally make this. What a great breakfast.
Thanks Sagegreen! Yes, usually if you mention prunes people shy away and won't even try it, but they're so sweet and delicious!
Kristen is the Senior Editor of food52.
negotiated recipe with
2 c wheat flour, halved the sugar, add 1 Tbs molasses, halved the butter, added 1 Tbs coconut oil. doubled prunes
used 2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp clove. halved the milk, added difference w coconut milk.
baked in cast iron skillet.
result moist, holds together, spicy. very good. ty