Last Updated on December 31, 2023
This healthy prune cake recipe is lower in calories, still very sweet, and naturally flavorful and juicy. Our recipe is also versatile and easy to make!
For this recipe, we didn’t make any drastic changes. We lowered the high-calorie ingredients like sugar which also makes it less sweet. And, we’ve replaced unhealthy oils with healthier options like coconut oil.
But, for more dramatic changes, you can look at our tips and tricks section. There are a ton of ways you can make this cake recipe even more healthy. So, let’s get right to it! This is how to make an easy, delicious, and healthy prune cake recipe from scratch.
What You Need To Make This Healthy Prune Cake Recipe
Ingredients for the prune cake
- 1 1/2 cup pitted prunes
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cups cake flour (or alternative)
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar (or alternative)
- 1 tablespoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup organic coconut oil, melted and cooled
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups chopped pecans, optional
Ingredients for the coating
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Bundt pan
- Non-stick cooking spray or melted butter
- Small saucepan
- Electric hand or stand mixer
- Mixing spoon
- Rubber or silicone spatula
- Wire rack
- Tray
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Rehydrate the prunes
To start, preheat your oven to 360ºF (180ºC). Then, grease a Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray or melted butter.
Now, start rehydrating the prunes. Combine the prunes with water in a small saucepan. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat. Simmer the prunes for about 5-8 minutes or until they become tender.
Then, drain them and set them to the side.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
Next, combine all of the dry ingredients (except for the pecan nuts) in a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients well and make sure that there are no lumps.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
Next, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, and eggs in a bowl. Whisk until the ingredients are uniformly mixed and the eggs are broken up well.
Step 4: Make the cake batter
Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix the ingredients together well until they are just combined.
Then, add the drained prunes and whisk them in well. The mixer will help break them up into smaller pieces.
Finally, add the chopped pecan nuts and stir them in well.
Step 5: Bake the prune cake
Gently pour the prune cake batter into your lined Bundt cake pan. Scrape the bowl to ensure you get all the batter in the pan.
Then, bake the cake for roughly 45 minutes or until the cake tested comes out clean.
Once fully baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Make the coating
In a small saucepan, combine all of the coating ingredients. Place it over medium to high heat and bring the ingredients to a boil. Then, allow it to boil for 5 minutes.
Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before using it.
Step 7: Assemble your healthy prune cake recipe
Remove the prune cake from the cake pan and place it on a wire rack. Allow it to cool for another 10 minutes.
Then, pour the warm icing over the cake. Allow any excess icing to drip down into a tray below the rack.
Leave the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving it fresh.
Expert Tips And Tricks
- If you don’t like big prune pieces in your cake, you can always chop them up a little bit before adding them to the cake batter. This way they will be distributed throughout the cake more and add less texture.
- This cake is already less sweet than most traditional prune cake recipes. However, to make it even healthier, you can substitute it with a low-calorie or high-nutrient sugar alternative. This can be something like honey, stevia, or coconut sugar. Have a look at this extensive list of white sugar alternatives and how you can use them.
- We also added coconut oil instead of regular vegetable oil. Just make sure it is raw unprocessed coconut oil (or organic) for the best flavor and texture results. And, you will get all of the health benefits too.
- For the flour, we used regular cake flour in the recipe. But, you can use a gluten-free option instead. And, if you want to go completely in the opposite direction, use almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour instead.
- Another way you can make this cake healthier is by leaving off the frosting completely. Or at least remove the sugar from the icing recipe.
Preparations Times And Servings For This Healthy Prune Cake Recipe
| Preparation Times | Baking Times | Servings |
| 30 minutes | 45 minutes | 8-10 |
Final Thoughts
Let us know in the comments below how you make yours healthier or meet a certain dietary restriction.
And, if you enjoyed this healthy prune cake recipe, make sure to go have a look at our site for other delicious desserts you can make.