This Pioneer Woman Prune Cake Recipe is a moist and spiced recipe, which is made with mashed prunes and buttermilk. It’s an old-fashioned dessert, ready in about 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Prune Cake Recipe Ingredients
For The Cake:
- 1 c. Prunes
- 1 c. Sugar
- 3 whole Eggs
- 1 c. Canola Oil
- 1 1/2 c. Flour, Sifted
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1 tsp. Nutmeg
- 1 tsp. Allspice
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 c. Buttermilk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
For The Icing:
- 1 c. Sugar
- 1/2 c. Buttermilk
- 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1 tbsp. White Corn Syrup
- 1/4 c. Butter
- 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
How To Make Pioneer Woman Prune Cake Recipe
- Prep Oven and Prunes: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan. Place the prunes in a small saucepan, cover with water, and simmer for about 8 minutes until they are tender. Drain the prunes and mash them with a fork. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and canola oil until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon.
- Combine the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract.
- Add Prunes and Bake: Gently fold the mashed prunes into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Make the Icing: While the cake is baking, combine all the icing ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it bubble, without stirring, for 5–7 minutes until it becomes a golden, pourable caramel-like sauce.
- Ice the Cake: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm icing evenly over the hot cake. Let the cake sit and absorb the icing before serving.

Recipe Tips
- Why pour the icing on a hot cake? This is the most important step! Pouring the warm, thin icing over the hot cake allows it to soak into the top layer, creating an incredibly moist, self-saucing cake that is absolutely delicious.
- How do I avoid a tough cake? Be careful not to overmix the batter after adding the flour. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of dry flour. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cake dense and tough.
- How do I know when the cake is done? The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Start checking a few minutes early to avoid overbaking.
- Why use fresh spices? Using fresh, potent spices like nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon will give your cake a much more vibrant and aromatic flavor than old, expired spices.
What To Serve With Prune Cake
This rich, moist cake is a wonderful dessert on its own, but it’s also lovely with:
- A dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A hot cup of coffee or tea
How To Store Prune Cake
Room Temperature: Store the cake, covered, at room temperature for up to 4 days. The flavor and moisture are often even better the next day.
Prune Cake Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 454 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Sodium: 250mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can you taste the prunes in the cake?
The prunes melt into the cake, providing incredible moisture and a deep, fruity sweetness, but they don’t have a strong, overpowering u0022pruneu0022 flavor. They contribute more to the rich texture and spiced flavor profile.
I don’t have buttermilk. What can I use as a substitute?
You can make a quick buttermilk substitute. For every 1 cup of regular milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly, then use as directed in the recipe.
Does the icing get hard?
No, because the icing is poured onto the hot cake, it soaks in and creates a soft, sticky, caramel-like topping rather than a hard, set frosting.
Pioneer Woman Prune Cake Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings25
minutes40
minutes454
kcalA rich and incredibly moist spiced cake made with mashed prunes and topped with a warm, buttery caramel-style icing that soaks right in.
Ingredients
Cake: 1 c. Prunes, 1 c. Sugar, 3 whole Eggs, 1 c. Canola Oil, 1 1/2 c. Sifted Flour, 1 tsp. Baking Soda, 1 tsp. each of Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cinnamon, 1 c. Buttermilk, 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract.
Icing: 1 c. Sugar, 1/2 c. Buttermilk, 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda, 1 tbsp. White Corn Syrup, 1/4 c. Butter, 1/2 tsp. Vanilla.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.
- Simmer prunes in water for 8 minutes, then drain and mash.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, and oil. In a separate bowl, combine flour and spices.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the wet mixture. Stir in vanilla.
- Fold in the mashed prunes. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
- While the cake bakes, combine all icing ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 5-7 minutes without stirring.
- Pour the warm icing over the hot cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Don’t Overmix: For the most tender texture, mix the batter only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking the cake a few minutes early to avoid overbaking and ensure a moist crumb.
- Hot on Hot: Pouring the warm icing over the hot cake is the key to the signature moist topping.
- Fresh Spices: Use fresh, aromatic spices for the best and most vibrant flavor.