Grandma Iny's Prune Cake

I found this on The Pioneer Women site and she talked about how it was in her top five favorite recipes and it seemed like one of those funky grandma cakes you are scared to try but once you do you are in HEAVEN! I realized I had to try it this Fall. Maybe as soon as I have a chilly day I will have to celebrate with this beauty. PRUNE CAKE! AHHHH! I love it!

*review it was good but I think once in my life will do. You see that icign is my family's favorite buttermilk syrup so I have had it a million times. I think I like it better on a pancake then on a spice cake. Whatever! it was really fun for me to try. ;)

Cake
1 cup prunes
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
1 ½ cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Cover prunes with water. Bring to a boil and cook until soft and mashable, about eight minutes.
Remove from heat, drain water, and mash on a plate. Set aside.
Sift together dry ingredients.
Mix together oil, sugar, and eggs.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, add buttermilk, and stir gently until just combined.
Throw in the mashed pruned and stir gently to combine.
DO NOT OVERMIX.

Pour batter into buttered baking dish (9 x 13 or so) and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE.

While cake has five minutes remaining, make the icing:

Icing
1 cup sugar
½ cup buttermilk
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
¼ cup butter
½ teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a slow boil. Boil without stirring for 5 to 7 minutes, or until icing starts to turn dark. Do NOT allow icing to reach soft ball stage; icing should be caramel in color, but not sticky like caramel. Icing should be easily pourable.* almost the same as my favorite buttermilk syrup recipe. :)

Remove cake from oven and pour on icing immediately.

Allow to rest on the counter. Serve warm.

NOTE: She said there isn't a “prune effect” associated with this cake.