Iny's Prune Cake with Buttermilk Icing

By

2012 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved.
It's like Sticky Toffee pudding. It’s moist, it’s easy, and it’s sinfully good.

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  • 8
  • 30 mins
  • 80 mins

Ingredients

  • Butter, for greasing pan
  • 1 cup prunes
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Icing
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Flour and butter a 9- by 13-inch baking pan.

Place the prunes in a small saucepan. Cover them with water. Bring to a low boil and cook until soft and mashable, about 8 minutes.

Drain the water and mash the prunes on a plate. It's okay to leave little chunks behind. Set the prunes aside and make the cake.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg.

In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, vanilla and eggs.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and splash in the buttermilk. Stir until just combined. The mixture will be slightly lumpy now add the mashed prunes.

Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes,do not over bake the cake. You want it to be nice and moist.

When the cake has about 5 minutes left to bake, make the icing: Combine the sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup, baking soda and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine. Bring to a slow boil over medium-high heat. No need to stir. Continue boiling until the icing turns a light caramel color, 5 to 7 minutes. Important: The icing should be the color of caramel, but not yet firm and sticky. It needs to be pourable.

While the cake is very warm, pour the icing evenly over the top. Work fast, as it will quickly start to soak into the cake.

Spread the coat evenly...Serve immediately, or feel free to let the cake sit on the counter for a while before serving. It only gets better with age.

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